Personal Research Database

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 23.pdf

Abstract: The application of biliometric methods and tools for analysing data from information sciences and patent data bases allow us to obtain different representations of an area that is particularly fragmented and difficult to interpret: plant biotechnologies in which nitrogen fixation has been particularly highlighted.

Keywords: Citation, Indicators, Information, Methods, Patent, Patents, Plant, Science, Sciences, Technology

? Egghe, L. (1994), Bridging the gaps: Conceptual discussions on informetrics. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 35-47.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 35.pdf

Abstract: In this paper we discuss the possible gaps between several subdisciplines in informetrics and between informetrics and other -metrics disciplines such as econometrics, sociometrics and so on. It is argued that in all these disciplines, common models exist which describe the main points of interest, We also show that many concrete problems in these disciplines can be formulated in the same way and hence have similar solutions. We can conclude with the statement that the possible gaps between these disciplines are smaller than what many researchers in these different areas may feel and hence that many research projects could be set up in a wider framework.

Keywords: Concrete, Econometrics, Framework, Informetrics, Metrics, Models, Obsolescence, Research

Glänzel, W. and Schoepflin, U. (1994), A stochastic model for the aging of scientific literature. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 49-64.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 49.pdf

Abstract: A non-homogeneous birth process is used to describe the statistical properties of bibliometric citation processes. The model is analysed under special assumptions. The life-time distribution, special probabilities and mean value functions are used to characterize differences in the ageing structure of scientific literature, the change of citation impact in time and to analyse predictive aspects of reception processes. The results are applied to selected journals representing one field in science and social science each. The empirical part of the study is based on a 14-year citation history (papers published in 1978 and cited 1978-1991). An intimate connection between impact and ageing cannot be observed. However, the ageing behaviour seems to be clearly influenced by field characteristics and by special document, journal types, such as letters and short communications

Keywords: Ageing, Assumptions, Behaviour, Bibliometric, Citation, Communications, Functions, History, Journals, Literature, Model, Papers, Science, Structure

Van Hooydonk, G., Gevaert, R., Milisproost, G., Vandesompel, H. and Debackere, K. (1994), A bibliotheconomic analysis of the impact factors of scientific disciplines. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 65-81.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 65.pdf

Abstract: An attempt is made to correlate bibliometric data of journals (impact factors, half-life) for scientific disciplines in the exact sciences to bibliotheconomic data (subscription prices, prices per article and holdings). Data are presented for 5399 journals in 131 disciplines, as mentioned in the Journal Citation Reports 1990 (Science Citation Index)

Keywords: Bibliometric, Bibliometrics, Impact Factors, Journal Citation Reports, Journal Costs, Journals, Science Citation Index, Sciences

? Jeannin, P. and Devillard, J. (1994), Towards a demographic approach to scientific journals. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 83-95.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 83.pdf

Abstract: This paper sheds, through the concepts of demography, a different light on the study of scientific journals. Without leaving aside the major role played by scientific journals. such an approach allows for the use of tools which are at the basis of information watch in research. Different key variables are used such as the date of its birth of a journal (resp. its date of death), the migration to other fields of knowledge or to other audiences... A certain number of indicators are exposed such as the rates (gross or net) of new publications or deaths. Some applications are proposed.

Keywords: Death, Indicators, Information, Journal, Journals, Knowledge, Publications, Research, Scientific Journals

? Maciaschapula, C.A. (1994), Non-SCI subject visibility of the Latin-American scientific production in the health field. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 97-104.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 97.pdf

Abstract: The purpose of this work was to analyse the non-Science Citation Index subject visibility of the Latin American production in the health field. The methodology used considered manual and automated retrieval of the Latin American journals, as covered by different conventional secondary sources. The IMLA/LILACS (Index Medicus Latinoamericano/Latin American Literature in the Health Sciences) database was used to obtain a master list of the ‘sustained’ journals for the period 1979-1990. The selected journals were classified by subject content, following the scheme of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. A total of 221 journals were selected and a database was developed. The results corroborated the leadership of Brazil in the field. It was also found that the subject content had a strong trend toward the ‘clinical’, medicine field. The subject ‘Medicine’ was head in the list, with seventy four journals. Several difficulties and barriers to the use of the IMLA/LILACS database were detected. The implications of the overall analysis of this study as affecting researchers, policy makers and data-base producers are stressed by the author.

Keywords: Analysis, Brazil, Data Base, Database, Health, Journals, Leadership, Medicine, Methodology, Policy, Work

? Makovetskaya, O. and Bernadsky, V. (1994), Scientometric indicators for identification of technology system life-cycle phase. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 105-116.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 105.pdf

Abstract: This paper presents a methodology of analysis of scientometric data reflecting dynamics of technology-oriented R & D. The data base contains a range of articles, patents and standards in the field of welding technologies world-wide and covers the period from 1961 to 1989. The methodology allows to identify the current phase of a technology life cycle in a given country or company and to compare it to that of the leading countries. These data allow to make more motivated decisions in science policy and R & D management.

Keywords: Analysis, Data Base, Dynamics, Life, Management, Methodology, Patents, Policy, Science, Science Policy, Scientometric, Standards, Technologies, Technology

? Martens, B. and Saretzki, T. (1994), Quantitative-analysis of thematic structures in the field of biotechnology: A study on the basis of conference data. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 117-128.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 117.pdf

Abstract: Conferences and other kinds of scientific meetings are becoming increasingly important as means of scientific communication, especially in highly dynamic and multidisciplinary fields of knowledge. A ‘conference approach’ has been pursued by collecting and analyzing data about conferences, courses, workshops, and exhibitions in the field of new biotechnology. The data cover the period of 1984-91. The textual conference data were categorized using a content analytic approach and a coding scheme. It encompasses all relevant fields of biotechnology, describing them in five dimensions: fields of knowledge, areas of application, groups of organisms that are of interest at meetings, methods of biotechnological relevance, and contexts of application and further development of biotechnology. In addition, variables describing the social, spatial. and time dimensions of scientific meetings as social gatherings were also taken into consideration. Distributions of and correlations between the categories are used to analyze structures of themes. If one differentiates these thematic structures according to organizing institutions, countries, and time. certain pecularities will be clearly visible.

Keywords: Biotechnology, Coding, Communication, Conferences, Correlations, Development, Institutions, Knowledge, Methods, Multidisciplinary, Relevance, Scientific Communication, Workshops

? Matricciani, E. (1994), Shannons entropy as a measure of the life of the literature of a discipline. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 129-145.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 129.pdf

Abstract: The paper is divided in two parts. Part I deals with the novel use of the concept of entropy H (measured in nepers) of the age T of references cited in the literature of a specialty, and the derived parameter S=exp(H) (measured in years). We have proposed to use S (or H) as a measure of the obsolescence of the literature. The concept of entropy comes from the Theory of Information (Shannon) where its mathematical properties have been widely studied and are thus available. H and S have been calculated for the log-normal probability density functions (which model the empirical distributions of T) of some IEEE journals and for the 58-year collection of an electronics journal, and then they have been compared to the total utility function, this latter defined in the literature. Part II recalls and discusses the mean residual life, M(T), and the expected life E(T), of a reference of age T (concepts borrowed from lifetime data analysis). Besides their intrinsic applications. another possible application of these concepts may be in defining quantitatively the age of ‘historical’ papers. Examples taken from the literatures of the XX and XIX centuries have been reported.

Keywords: Analysis, Data Analysis, Entropy, Function, Functions, Journal, Journals, Life, Literature, Model, Obsolescence, Papers, Specialty, Utility

? Narin, F. (1994), Patent bibliometrics. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 147-155.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 147.pdf

Abstract: In our 1975 monograph ‘Evaluative Bibliometrics’ we discussed the many uses of publication and citation analysis in the evaluation of scientific activities, and some of the basic statistical properties of the scientific literature, particularly the skewnness of the distributions of publications and citations, reference time distributions, and various anomalies in the citation patterns from one country to another. Over the last ten years we have devoted much of our energy to the development of an analogous research base and infrastructure for patent bibliometrics, that is for the use of patents, and patent citations in the evaluation of technological activities. There are remarkable similarities between literature bibliometrics and patent bibliometrics, and they are both applicable to the same wide ranges of problems. This paper will show that there are striking similarities between literature and patent distributions of national productivity, inventor productivity, referencing cycles, citation impact and within country citation preferences.

Keywords: Analysis, Bibliometrics, Citation, Citation Analysis, Citation Patterns, Citations, Development, Evaluation, Literature, Patent, Patent Citations, Patents, Publication, Publications, Referencing, Research

? Noyons, E.C.M. and Vanraan, A.F.J. (1994), Bibliometric cartography of scientific and technological developments of an research-and-development field: The case of optomechatronics. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 157-173.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 157.pdf

Abstract: This paper presents the results of an exploration of bibliometric mapping as an analytic tool to study the important aspects of the relation between science and technology, in particular the ‘science base’ of technology. We discuss a bibliometric (in particular a publication- and patent-based) approach to develop a cartography of science and technology, i.e., the construction of geometrically organized maps in order to visualize the changing internal structure of science and technology. These maps are based on co-occurrences of publication and patent keywords. We focus on a specific R & D field: optomechatronics. This field is characterized by a strong knowledge transfer between science and technology. We constructed maps for both the science as well as the technology ‘side’. Comparison of these two allows the exploration of existing or possible interaction of scientific and technological developments. We identified related subfields (co-word clusters) in the maps of both ‘sides’ in order to illustrate the interaction between science and technology. Subsequently, we extended the information given by the maps with information on the role and position of a number of countries in the different subfields of optomechatronics, both at the science side as well as at the technology side. This is done by identification of actors in the subfields represented by word clusters in the maps. Cartography of science and technology allows the observation of the structure (and its changes) of scientific and technology fields. Moreover, it illustrates both existing as well as possible links between science and technology. It therefore presents a powerful tool for science, technology and R & D policy.

Keywords: Bibliometric, Bibliometric Mapping, Changes, Identification, Information, Interaction, Knowledge, Patent, Policy, Publication, Science, Science And Technology, Structure, Technology

? Peritz, B.C. (1994), On the heuristic value of scientific publications and their design: A Citation Analysis of Some Clinical-Trials. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 175-186.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 175.pdf

Abstract: The assumption underlying citation analysis is that the citing authors select their references in a rational manner. The present study, based on a very homogeneous collection of clinical trials from a meta-analysis, provides a partial verification of this idea: citing authors prefer large studies to smaller ones, they also seem to prefer studies representing the minority view of the research issue, perhaps in order to make their presentation more balanced. On the other hand, in this instance the inclusion of a placebo in the study design does not affect citation frequency. Furthermore, the conjecture that heuristic value is a main determinant of citability is not settled.

Keywords: Analysis, Citation, Citation Analysis, Citation Frequency, Clinical, Clinical Trials, Meta-Analysis, Placebo, Research, Study Design

? Rikken, F. and Vos, R. (1994), Searching for adverse drug-reactions at the margin of scientific fields: The scientometric detection of peripheral but potentially innovative developments in pharmaceutical research. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 187-199.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 187.pdf

Abstract: Results are presented of a scientometric analysis focusing on peripheral dynamics in a scientific field. We evaluate different techniques on their appropriateness for detecting relations between aspects that seem to be not of central interest but are important in innovative research. We do so in order to quantify the role that adverse drug reactions can play as trigger points in innovative drug research.

Keywords: Adverse Drug Reactions, Analysis, Drug, Dynamics, Maps, Relations, Research, Science, Scientometric, Techniques

? Roman, A. and Mendez, A. (1994), The Spanish transition to democracy seen through the Spanish database ISOC. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 201-212.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 201.pdf

Abstract: The study has tried to look at the political transition through the articles publisbed by Spanish scientists in Spanish journals of Social Sciences and Humanities. A sample of 11000 article references from a selected set of 32 journals published from 1976 till 1985, has been the basis of the analysis. This time frame has been divided into two 5 year periods in order to detect any change in the topics published. The result of the analysis has been compared with the ‘events’ as recorded by ‘El Pais’ a very popular newspaper, during the same 10 year period and with a set of specific articles devoted to the Spanish political transition.

Keywords: Analysis, Journals

? Rousseau, R. (1994), Double exponential models for 1^st-citation processes. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 213-227.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 213.pdf

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to find a model for the first-citation or response distribution. Starting from plausible assumptions, we derive differential equations, whose solutions yield the requested functions. In fact, we propose two different double exponential distributions as candidates to describe the first-citation process. We found that some real data are best fitted by the first of these models and other by the second. We further note that Gompertz’ curve plays an important role in this second model. These models can be used to predict the total number of articles in a fixed group that will ever be cited. We conclude that further research is needed to find out when one of the two models is more appropriate than the other.

Keywords: Assumptions, Citation, First, Functions, Model, Models, Research

? Small, H. (1994), A SCI-map case-study: Building a map of aids research. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 229-241.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 229.pdf

Abstract: SCI-Map is a new PC based system for mapping the scientific literature. By selecting a seed item, the user can build a network or cluster of nodes interactively, and can view the structure as it is being built. New nodes are selected for addition to the network by the strength of their links to the items already clustered, and the positions of new nodes are determined by a geometric triangulation method. SCI-Map can be used to perform cluster-based retrieval using co-citation or other measures of document association, and enables the user to explore the structure of large document sets. This case study focuses on the AIDS literature and shows how the network is built up topic by topic, the recall of the final cluster, and where AIDS connects to the literature of other fields.

Keywords: Aid, AIDS, Association, Case Study, Co-Citation, Cocitation, Literature, Network, Structure

? Soderqvist, T. and Silverstein, A.M. (1994), Studying leadership and subdisciplinary structure of scientific disciplines: Cluster-analysis of participation in scientific meetings. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 243-258.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 243.pdf

Abstract: A new method for the analysis of leadership and subdisciplinary structure of a scientific discipline is discussed. The database consists of lists of participants in international scientific meetings. Disciplinary leaders are identified by means of their frequency of participation. The subdisciplinary structure is mapped by means of cluster analysis of meetings with respect to degree of similarity. The method possesses strengths not shared by citation analysis: in addition to scientists frequently cited in the literature for their contribution to cognitive research programs, it also identifies administrative discipline builders. The method may also represent better the cognitive interests of scientists.

Keywords: Analysis, Citation, Citation Analysis, Cluster Analysis, Database, International, Leadership, Literature, Research, Similarity, Structure

? Taguesutcliffe, J. (1994), Modeling and forecasting contact time as a measure of item informativeness. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 259-267.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 259.pdf

Abstract: The value or informativeness of an item in a library collection or database has been measured by its frequency of circulation or access. This paper presents a more discriminating measure, user contact time, and develops a model for its distribution over users and over time. The model is applied to the problem of predicting future informativeness of an item.

Keywords: Access, Database, Library, Model, Modeling

? Turner, W.A., Lelu, A. and Georgel, A. (1994), Geode: Optimizing data-flow representation techniques in a network information-system. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 269-281.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 269.pdf

Abstract: The Informetrics Research Group (CERESI/CNRS) was recently created by the Mission for Scientific and Technical Information and Communication of the CNRS. CERESI’s goal is to study the impact of computer supported information exchanges on the social processes underlying the construction of scientific knowledge. A better understanding of this impact should help in designing and building scientific and technical information management systems. In this paper, we will focus on one aspect of our work: mapping science and technology in order to build dynamic representations of science and technology.

Keywords: Information, Knowledge, Management, Science, Science and Technology, Technology, Understanding, Work

? Vinkler, P. (1994), The origin and features of information referenced in pharmaceutical patents. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 283-302.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 283.pdf

Abstract: 50 pharmaceutical patents granted to firms, residing in US, CIB, DE and HU each, were surveyed and the average numbers of scientific as well as patent items referenced by the inventors were calculated. The sum of impact factors of the journals referenced (Total Weighted Impact) was calculated by scientific fields. About 50-60 per cent of scientific information referred to in the patents was found to originate from Life Sciences journals. It was found that 10 per cent of the journals referenced contained 55 per cent of the papers.

Keywords: Impact Factors, Indicators, Information, Journals, Linkage, Papers, Patent, Patents, Science, Scientific Information, Technology, US

? Wagnerdobler, R. and Berg, J. (1994), Regularity and irregularity in the development of scientific disciplines: The case of mathematical logic. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 303-319.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 303.pdf

Abstract: We report on results from an analysis of mathematical logic from 1874 to the present time, covering about 15,000 authors with 50,000 publications. Frequency distributions in terms of contributions or in terms of the number of special areas dealt with exhibited a well-known lognormal form. A dynamic version of Price’s inverse square (or power) law of elitism seems to be corroborated. The idea of a general exponential growth law is not convincing, however. All forms of growth of logic areas occur. In this contribution we apply, in addition, Goffman’s epidemic model, contained in one of the rare theories of scientific dynamics, to the development of logic and formulate ex-post-ante prognoses of some areas of logic. The outcome casts doubts on the applicability in scientometrics of the epidemic theory in the form suggested by Goffman.

Keywords: Analysis, Chaos, Development, Dynamics, Epidemic, Growth, Informetric Distributions, Law, Model, Publications, Scientometrics, Theory

? Yitzhaki, M. (1994), Relation of title length of journal articles to number of authors. Scientometrics, 30 (1), 321-332.

Full Text: 1994\Scientometrics30, 321.pdf

Abstract: The great importance of titles being highly informative is almost unanimously accepted in literature, assuming that the more informative titles are, the more effectively they serve their functions. The most common measure of title ‘informativeness’ has been the number of ‘substantive’ words included in it, and one of the factors which might be associated with it is the number of authors. The present study attempted to test, in a large group of journals from different areas, and over six decades, the hypothesis that a paper signed by a larger number of authors will have more substantive words in its title. Large samples of original research papers were drawn from each decade year of fourteen leading journals. For each paper, the number of substantive words in the title was correlated with the number of authors. Findings indicate a difference between the scientific journals on the one hand, and the social sciences and humanities journals on the other. A moderate positive correlation was found in most scientific journals (excluding mathematics) for many periods. In the social sciences journals, and to a greater extent, in the humanities journals, a significant positive correlation was limited to only a few periods, while the rest showed a very low correlation, or even a negative correlation. The different findings for the sciences may be somehow associated with their higher rate of multiple authorship.

Keywords: Authorship, Functions, Humanities, Journals, Literature, Papers, Research, Sciences, Scientific Journals, Social Sciences

Zitt, M. and Bassecoulard, E. (1994), Development of a method for detection and trend analysis of research fronts built by lexical or cocitation analysis. Scientometrics,