Personal Research Database

Full Text: Scientometrics44, 3.pdf

Keywords: India, Research

Gupta, B.M., Sharma, P. and Kumar, S. (1999), Growth of world and Indian physics literature. Scientometrics, 44 (1), 5-16.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 5.pdf

Abstract: The paper deals with the nature of growth models currently used in the literature for modeling the growth of publications. It introduces briefly three growth models and explores the applicability of these models in the growth of world and Indian physics literature. The analysis suggests that the growth of Indian physics literature follows a logistic model, while the growth of world physics literature is explained by a combination of logistic and power models. The criteria for selection of growth models based on the new growth rate functions suggested by Egghe and Ravichandra Rao are given. The methodology suggested by Egghe and Ravichandra Rao is shown to work satisfactorily, except for longer time series growth data, when we may have to restore to data splitting approach, if suggested by the plots of new growth rate functions. This approach helped us to use a combination of two growth models instead of one, to explain the growth of world physics literature.

Keywords: Analysis, Growth, Growth Rate, Methodology, Model, Modeling, Models, Paper, Publications, Selection, Time-Series

? Gupta, V.K. (1999), Technological trends in the area of fullerenes using bibliometric analysis of patents. Scientometrics, 44 (1), 17-31.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 17.pdf

Abstract: Patents are a useful source of scientific and technological information. The bibliometrics analysis of patents has been made to identify technological trends in the area of fullerenes and study other parameters like growth of the patenting activity, active players in the field from industry, academia and government research institutions. It indicates that firms and R&D organisations in developing countries could undertake similar study on specific topics of their interests and obtain relevant insights.

Keywords: Activity, Analysis, Bibliometric, Bibliometric Analysis, Bibliometrics, Developing Countries, Fullerenes, Growth, Information, Institutions, Made, Parameters, Patents, Research, Source, Trends

? Sangam, S.L. (1999), Obsolescence of literature in the field of psychology. Scientometrics, 44 (1), 33-46.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 33.pdf

Abstract: Bibliometric technique of citation analysis was applied to the data of five psychological periodical literature. The distribution of citations frequencies was statistically tested and the obsolescence factors were determined. The relation between the growth and obsolescence has been studied, and it has been observed that ‘higher the growth of literature, higher the obsolescence as well as higher the half life.’.

Keywords: Age, Analysis, Citation, Citation Analysis, Citations, Distribution, Growth, Psychological, Psychology

? Satyanarayana, K., Srivastava, D. and Sreenivas, V. (1999), The relevance of short communication in scholarly journals: An empirical study. Scientometrics, 44 (1), 47-58.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 47.pdf

Abstract: This study aims to examine whether rapid communications exert more influence/impact on subsequent research. Citation analysis of Short Communications (SCs) and Main Articles (MAs) from 1983 and 1990 for 5 high impact biomedical journals was carried out for a five year period following publication. The mean citations cumulated for the five year period showed no consistent trend. Some journals showed more citations for SCs while some showed more for MAs. The mean citations (range) for SCs and MAs for the 1983 and 1990 papers respectively were as follows: Gene: 14.13 (0-61) and 38.79 (0-677), 9.73 (0-93) and 13.17 (0-44), Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI): 49.77 (3-202) and 27.52 (0-86), 50.52 (0-254) and 33.53 (0-151), Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM): 39.80 (0-200) and 49.20 (0-403), 47.26 (0-258) and 50.27 (0-173), and Journal of Biological Chemistry (JBC): 36.21 (0-380) and 19.67 (0-53), 37.19 (0-273) and 26.84 (0-185). SCs of Journal of Cell Biology (JCB) had a mean citation of 25.84 per article with a range of 0-98, while the MAs had a mean citation of 33.13 with the range 4-122 during 1983-87. The citation peak was seen about three years after publication for all the journals during both the periods. The mean cumulative citations showed a progressive increase over the five years for both types of papers, in all journals and for both the 5 year periods. The initial differences observed persisted even four years after the year of publication. No significant differences were observed in the distribution of the cumulative 5 year citations between the SCs and MAs. An index of speed of citation per article showed no substantial differences between SCs and MAs with MAs showing an edge over SCs. Both MAs and SCs of all the journals showed nearly same average time per citation per article further confirming that the SCs do not enjoy the advantage of speedier citation. The results show that the generally perceived feeling of SCs getting cited more frequently and faster does not appear to be valid. Hence, the practice of publishing SCs on a priority basis is perhaps not warranted.

Keywords: Analysis, Biomedical Journals, Citations, Communication, Distribution, Impact, Index, Practice, Publication, Publishing, Range, Research, Speed, Trend

Seetharam, G. and Rao, I.K.R. (1999), Growth of food science and technology literature: A comparison of CFTRI, India and the world. Scientometrics, 44 (1), 59-79.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 59.pdf

Abstract: An attempt has been made to trace and compare the trends in growth of Food Science and Technology (FST) literature (periodical articles, patents, standards, theses and dissertations) produced by CFTRI scientists, by food scientists in India and by food scientsts of the world, covering a period between 1950 and 1990, to identify the best fitting growth models for actual and cumulative growth of data through regression analysis, and alpha(t) and alpha(2t) analysis, and to compute and compare the growth rates of FST documnets.

Keywords: Analysis, Comparison, Fitting, Food, Growth, Growth Rates, India, Law, Made, Models, Patents, Regression, Regression Analysis, Science, Standards, Trends

Srinivasan, R., Raman, V., Meyyappan, N. and Pichappan, P. (1999), Assessment of the impact of the journal literature produced by Indian CSIR laboratories using subfield corrected impact. Scientometrics, 44 (1), 81-92.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 81.pdf

Abstract: Comparative assessment of the journal literature produced by laboratories, institutions working in different fields is a difficult exercise. The impact factor of the journals is not a suitable indicator since citation practices vary with fields. The variation is corrected in this study using a measure, the ‘subfield corrected impact factor’ and it is applied to the journal papers produced by the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories. This measure helped to compare the impact of journal literature in different fields

Keywords: Assessment, Bibliometric Indicators, Citation, Exercise, Impact, Impact Factor, Indicator, Journal

Tapaswi, M.P. and Maheswarappa, B.S. (1999), Ranking serials in oceanography: An analysis based on the Indian contributions and their citations. Scientometrics, 44 (1), 93-127.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 93.pdf

Abstract: An analysis of serials preferred and cited in various communications by the Indian oceanographers during 1963 to 1992 is presented. A shift in preference of serials from general sciences to oceanography (interdisciplinary) and to core subject in oceanography is noticed. The contributions to Indian serials showed a decrease. The implications of this trend are discussed. The rank list of serials cited by Indian oceanographers was correlated with the rank list of serials cited at international level. A negative correlation with a marginal difference of -0.214 is observed between these two rank lists. This difference is attributed to studies from different geographical areas in these two rank sets. Bradford graphs for all datasets, but one, showed typical Bradford-Leimkuhler curves with or without clear Groos droops. Further research is required to explain this exceptional curve. A country-wise analysis of the serials preferred as well as cited in communications give a clear picture on the shift during the period of study. English is considered as the lingua franca by Indian oceanographers.

Keywords: Analysis, Citations, Core, Correlation, General, Interdisciplinary, Oceanography, Preference, Rank, Research, Sciences, Serials, Trend

? Gupta, B.M. and Karisiddippa, C.R. (1999), Collaboration and author productivity: A study with a new variable in Lotka’s law. Scientometrics, 44 (1), 129-134.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 129.pdf

Abstract: The paper explores the possibility of using a new variable represented by the number of collaborators per author as a substitute for the number of papers in Lotka’s distribution to predict the productivity strata. On the basis of a case study in theoretical population genetics it is concluded that the number of collaborators per author has not proved to be a good substitute in the Lotka’s distribution, which is in contrast to Qin’s results.

Keywords: Case Study, Distribution, Genetics, Law, Lotka’s Law, Paper, Population, Predict, Productivity

? Saam, N.J. and Reiter, L. (1999), Lotka’s law reconsidered: The evolution of publication and citation distributions in scientific fields. Scientometrics, 44 (2), 135-155.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 135.pdf

Abstract: This paper reports early steps in research that seeks to clarify how publications of scientists interact dynamically with citations and reputation in shaping the evolution of scientific fields. We assume that Lotka’s modified law holds for scientific fields. A primary approach to model publication productivity was published by Yablonsky. In contrast to Yablonsky’s unfinished mathematical approach, our simulation approach is not predominantly driven by insight into the formal generation mechanisms of certain processes but more theory driven. It considers the evolution of publication and citation distributions over the histories of scientific fields using both simulated and real historical data.

Keywords: Ambiguity, Citation, Citations, Distributions, Evolution, Historical, Indicators, Informetric Distributions, Law, Lotka’s Law, Mechanisms, Model, Modified, Paper, Productivity, Publication, Publications, Research, Simulation, Theory

Nunes, E.D. (1999), A review of research studies conducted on scientific production in collective health in Brazil. Scientometrics, 44 (2), 157-167.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 157.pdf

Abstract: This paper presents a review of the principal studies conducted on scientific production in Brazil related to Public Health/Collective Health. Some of the findings highlighted in this study, show the progress of this area in terms of production of articles, doctorate theses, dissertations and publications.

Keywords: Brazil, Health, Paper, Production, Publications, Research, Review, Scientific Production

Leydesdorff, L. and Wouters, P. (1999), Between texts and contexts: Advances in theories of citation? (a rejoinder). Scientometrics, 44 (2), 169-182.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 169.pdf

Abstract: Scientific literature is expected to contain a body of knowledge that can be indexed and retrieved using references and citations. References are subtexts which refer to a supertext, that is, the body of scientific literature. The Science Citation Index has provided an electronic representation of science at the supertextual level by aggregating the subtextual citations. As the supertext, however, becomes independently available in virtual reality (as a ‘hypertext’), subtext and supertext become increasingly different contexts. The dynamics of hyperlinks are expected to feedback on the system of indexing, referencing, and retrieval at the level of research practices. References can be considered as part of the retention mechanism of this evolving system of scientific communication, and citations are a codified form of referencing.

Keywords: Citation, Citations, Co-Words, Communication, Dynamics, Feedback, Hyperlinks, Indicators, Knowledge, Mechanism, Referencing, Representation, Research, Retention, Retention Mechanism, Science, Science Citation Index, Scientific Communication, Scientometrics, Virtual Reality

Lewison, G. and Igic, R. (1999), Yugoslav politics, ‘ethnic cleansing’ and co-authorship in science. Scientometrics, 44 (2), 183-192.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 183.pdf

Abstract: Scientific outputs from Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia, and the patterns of co-authorship between them and five western countries and with each other have been determined from the Science Citation Index. They reflect accurately the political situation underlying the recent breakup of the former Yugoslavia, and long-term international alliances and friendships, but also take account of geographical proximity, which assists scientific co-operation. There is no evidence of changes in the ethnic composition of Serbian and Croatian scientists overall, as revealed by the names of their researchers before and after the civil war. However some changes appear to have taken place in Serbia outwith Belgrade, which are consistent with the reports of the expulsion of Croats living in Vojvodina.

Keywords: Co-Authorship, Composition, Croatia, Long-Term, Politics, Recent, Science, Science Citation Index, War

Hicks, D. (1999), The difficulty of achieving full coverage of international social science literature and the bibliometric consequences. Scientometrics, 44 (2), 193-215.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 193.pdf

Abstract: This review of social science bibliometric literature seeks to establish characteristics of the social science literature and to understand their consequences for the coverage of literature databases and for interpretation of bibliometric social science indicators based on such databases. The paper reviews what we know about social science publishing and database coverage of it. It examines the main reasons why social science bibliometrics are problematic, namely: the centrality of books in social science literature and their high citation rate, and the national orientation of social science literatures. The paper then looks at reasons why social science bibliometrics holds increasing promise, namely: increasing internationalization, and good coverage of scholarly journals.

Keywords: Behavioral-Sciences, Bibliometric, Bibliometrics, Characteristics, Citation, Consequences, Databases, Economics, Humanities, Indicators, Knowledge, Orientation, Paper, Philosophy, Publishing, Research Performance, Review, Reviews, Science, Social, Sociology, Universities

? Ruiz-Baños, R., Bailón-Moreno, R., Jimenez-Contreras, E. and Courtial, J.P. (1999), Structure and dynamics of scientific networks. Part I: Fundamentals of the quantitative model of translation. Scientometrics, 44 (2), 217-234.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 217.pdf

Abstract: The fundamentals have been developed for a quantitative theory on the structure and dynamics of scientific networks. These fundamentals were conceived through a new vision of translation, defined mathematically as the derivative or gradient of the quality of the actors as a function of the coordinates for the space in which they perform. If we begin with the existence of a translation barrier, or an obstacle that must be overcome by the actors in order to translate, and if we accept the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution as representative of the translating capacity of the actors, it becomes possible to demonstrate the known principle of ‘success breeds success. We also propose two types of elemental translations: those which are irreversible and those which are in equilibrium. In addition, we introduce the principle of composition, which enables, from elemental translations, the quantification of more complex ones.

Keywords: Barrier, Capacity, Complex, Composition, Derivative, Distribution, Dynamics, Equilibrium, Function, Model, Order, Quality, Quantification, Scientific Networks, Structure, Theory, Vision

? Ruiz-Baños, R., Bailón-Moreno, R., Jimenez-Contreras, E. and Courtial, J.P. (1999), Structure and dynamics of scientific networks. Part II: The new Zipf’s Law, the clusters of co-citations and the model of the descriptor presence. Scientometrics, 44 (2), 235-265.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 235.pdf

Abstract: Here, the quantitative theory of translation is shown to be of great utility in describing scientific networks. In fact, we deduce a new Zipf’s Law for the descriptors of a set of documents, based on the concepts of centres of interest and of irreversible parallel translations. This new law can be generalized to other phenomena, such as the distribution of the sizes of cocitation clusters. Finally, we have established the model, for descriptor presence in a network, which closely fits the values recorded.

Keywords: Clusters, Cocitation, Distribution, Dynamics, Law, Model, Scientific Networks, Theory, Utility

Schubert, A. (1999), Scientometrics: A citation based bibliography 1994-1996. Scientometrics, 44 (2), 267-291.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 267.pdf

Keywords: Citation

? Moed, H.F. (1999), Selected proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Science and Technology Indicators - Hinxton (Cambridge), UK - June 4-6, 1998 - Introduction. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 319-321

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 319.pdf

Keywords: UK

? Bassecoulard, E. and Zitt, M. (1999), Indicators in a research institute: A multi-level classification of scientific journals. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 323-345.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 323.pdf

Abstract: Indicators in a research Institute ought to be readable at several decision levels, and particularly with different break-downs of the publication set chosen as reference. Citation transactions between journals have been widely used to structure scientific subfields in ISI databases. We tried a seed-free structuration of SCI/CMCI journals (a) to test convergence of pure citation-built specialties (roughly 150) on SCI/CMCI journals with existing classifications at the subfield level (b) to explore the interest and the limits of this approach for upper levels of aggregation (roughly 30 fields). PI few limits of journal-level classification are addressed. At the subfield level, the convergence is large with some discrepancies worth noticing. At the subdiscipline level, the method is not sufficient to achieve a satisfactory 30-level delineation, but gives a good basis for informed expert validation.

Keywords: Aggregation, Citations, Classification, Databases, ISI, Levels, Matrices, Publication, Reference, Research, Science, Structure, Test, Upper, Validation

Basu, A. (1999), Science publication indicators for India: Questions of interpretation. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 347-360.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 347.pdf

Abstract: We comment on a letter to Nature in 1996 on the long term decline of Indian science pointing out methodological reasons why the (SCI) data used by the authors do not unambiguously lead to their stated conclusions. Our arguments are based on the contention that no valid statement on change in a country’s output may be made for a period in which the journal coverage from that country in SCI has changed significantly. We have suggested that for longitudinal comparisons of country level performance, it should be verified that the journals from that country in SCI remained constant within the period. This could be ensured if the country of publication of journals could be included as a field in the SCI database. We define a Visibility Index as the cumulated impact and derive a relation to estimate change in visibility combining changes in output and average impact. In the period during which Indian journal coverage remained unchanged, a detailed analysis of output for two years (1990-94) leads us to conclude that, with the exception of Agriculture, there has been an increase in publication in virtually every field, with significant increase in the-overall mean Impact Factor. At least 25 subfields have been identified with statistically significant increase in mean Impact Factor and Visibility. The impact of foreign collaboration on visibility has also been considered. In conclusion we touch upon the question of citation as a performance indicator for Third World countries as high citation and relevance may be in conflict as objectives.

Keywords: Analysis, British Science, Citation, Collaboration, Decline, Impact, India, Indicator, Indicators, Journal, Lead, Long-Term, Longitudinal, Made, Output, Performance, Performance Indicator, Publication, SCI, Science, Visibility

? Bonitz, M., Bruckner, E. and Scharnhorst, A. (1999), The Matthew Index - Concentration patterns and Matthew core journals. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 361-378.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 361.pdf

Abstract: In this paper we extend our studies to the micro-structure of the Matthew effect for countries (MEC). The MEC allows the ranking of countries by their Matthew Index. The rank distribution of countries, observable only at a macro-level, has its roots in re-distribution processes of citations in every journal of the database. These re-distributed citations we call Matthew citations. Data for 44 countries and 2712 journals (based on the Science Citation Index) are analyzed. The strength of the contribution of the individual journals to the MEC (their number of Matthew citations) is skewly distributed. Due to this high concentration of the MEC we are able to define a new type of journal: the Matthew core journal: 145 Matthew core journals account for 50% of the MEG. These journals carry a high potential of gaining a surplus of citations over what is expected and the risk of losing a high number of citations as well.

Keywords: Citations, Concentration, Core, Countries, Distribution, Journal, Microstructure, Paper, Rank, Ranking, Risk, Roots, Science, Science Citation Index, Strength

Debackere, K., Luwel, M. and Veugelers, R. (1999), Can technology lead to a competitive advantage? A case study of Flanders using European patent data. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 379-400.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 379.pdf

Abstract: The study tries to analyze regional technological capabilities, linking technological positions to economic strength of the region. To measure this link, we correlate the EPO patent data with trade data to assess the degree to which technological advantages are translated into comparative advantages for the Flemish region in Belgium. The analysis for Flanders provides some interesting insights. Following the skewed distribution of firms, the technological areas in which Flanders is able to build a strong position are very specific: printing technology, weaving technology, photography and recently also telecommunications. Weak positions are outspoken in car technology. Linking these strengths and weaknesses in technological areas to economic activity revealed an important mismatch between both. Most of the Flemish patents are in sectors without any comparative advantage, while most of the sectors where Flanders does hold a comparative advantage, like chemicals and pharmaceuticals, do not show strong technological advantages in terms of patents. Given the mismatch that was detected between technological positions and economic advantages, it is of crucial importance to better understand the (missing) links between the various actors in the regional innovation system. The analysis points out two important issues. The large and growing number of foreign applicants to Belgian/Flemish inventors and the large number of subsidiaries of foreign firms among Belgian/Flemish applicants illustrate the pervasiveness of the foreign dimension in the Belgian/Flemish technological landscape. Also very specific to the Belgian/Flemish situation, is the limited importance of universities or research centers in terms of patenting activities.

Keywords: Activity, Analysis, Belgium, Case Study, Chemicals, Complex, Distribution, Economic, Electronics, Importance, Indicators, Industry, Innovation, Landscape, Lead, Patents, Pharmaceuticals, Position, Regional, Research, Strength, Strengths, Telecommunications, Universities

? De Looze, M.A., Roy, A., Coronini, R., Reinert, M. and Jouve, O. (1999), Two measures for identifying the perception of risk associated with the introduction of transgenic plants. Scientometrics,