Personal Research Database

Full Text: S\Scientometrics47, 55.pdf

Abstract: A journal co-citation analysis of fifty journals and other publications in the information retrieval (IR) discipline was conducted over three periods spanning the years of 1987 to 1997. Relevant data retrieved from the Science Citation Index (SCI) and Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) are analysed according to the highly cited journals in various disciplines, especially in the Library gi Information Science area. The results are compared with previous research that covered the data only from the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI). The analysis reveals that there is no distinct difference between these two sets of results. The results of current study show that IR speciality is multi-disciplinary with broad relations with other specialities. The field of IR is a mature field, as the journals used for research communication remained quite stable during the study period.

Keywords: Cocitation Analysis, Science

Jacobs, D. and Ingwersen, P. (2000), A bibliometric study of the publication patterns in the sciences of South African scholars 1981-96. Scientometrics, 47 (1), 75-93.

Full Text: S\Scientometrics47, 75.pdf

Abstract: The paper is a bibliometric study of the publication patterns and impact of South African scientists 1981-96, with special emphasis on the period 1992-96. The subject fields surveyed are Physics, Chemistry, Plant and Animal Sciences, and Biochemistry/Microbiology. Scientists were selected from the ten universities of the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal, which vary considerably, with respect to standards of education, quantity of publications, development and overall progress. The general purpose is two-fold: 1) to observe the publication and citation trends during 1981-96, a period which covers significant policy changes in the country, in particular the end of apartheid 1994, within this context 2) to investigate the patterns used by scientists 1992-96 from these different institutions in publishing the results of their research in the form of conference papers or (inter)national journals. The study collected two sets of data through a scientometric analysis of Science Citation Index and a questionnaire. With the exception of Physics, the results demonstrate a decreasing South African world share, in particular for Plant & Animal Sc. publications, and a similar decline of citations starting in 1986/87. Further, the citation impact relative to the world, after a substantial drop 1985-93 probably representing the international embargo period, in 1994-96 reaches the same level as observed in 1985-89. Also, the study shows that there is a direct relation between academic position, research experience and productivity among South African Scientists in the four scientific disciplines.

? Banerjee, P., Gupta, B.M. and Garg, K.C. (2000), Patent statistics as indicators of competition an analysis of patenting in biotechnology. Scientometrics, 47 (1), 95-116.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 95.pdf

Abstract: Numbers of patents cannot indicate the state of research or the contents of patent documentation cannot indicate the true technological features achieved. Patent statistics though so used, is not a good indicator of the economic returns to investments in research. Use of this statistics for understanding the degree of competition and the competition-driven research strategy is attractive. A patent document is part of the public knowledge in such a way as to restrict the growth of the future public knowledge. This portent on the future content of research and on the number and areas of research, by a current application is a competition-defining aspect. This effect on the lagged future applications and accepting patent disclosure as an intentional strategic data - are the most significant characteristics of patent statistics. The present paper applied this understanding, and generated a number of indices derived from data bases on patenting. These are indicators on Competition, Technology Pool, Language Technology Pool, Modified Competition, Market Attractiveness and on the Strength of Patent Market. Values of these indicators for biotechnological research and for several countries have been derived as example.

Keywords: Analysis, Applications, Biotechnology, Characteristics, Competition, Current, Economic, Features, Growth, Indicator, Indicators, Innovative Activities, Knowledge, Paper, Patents, R-and-D, Research, Restrict, Statistics, Strategy

? Shirabe, M. and Fujigaki, Y. (2000), The introduction of economic methods to scientometrics: The citing-cited table and the autopoietic systems of citations. Scientometrics, 47 (1), 117-130.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 117.pdf

Abstract: The paper is introducing an economic method (interindustry relations analysis) into studies of autopoietic systems and shows its application to scientometrics, which can also be regarded as the analysis of autopoietic systems. The merit of the application is discussed, and the outline of the proof of a related theorem is suggested in the appendix.

Keywords: Analysis, Citations, Economic, Knowledge, Methods, Paper, Science, Scientometrics

? Bhattacharya, S., Pal, C. and Arora, J. (2000), Inside the frontier areas of research in physics: A micro level analysis. Scientometrics, 47 (1), 131-142.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 131.pdf

Abstract: In an earlier study,(1) a methodology was described for identifying Frontier Areas in a research field, i.e., areas which experienced in a particular time period significant increase in research output in comparison to a preceding time period. The application of this methodology was shown by identifying Frontier Areas of research in Physics in 1995. Comparison was done with respect to the outputs in different areas in 1990, Profiles of countries active in the identified Frontier Areas were then constructed. In this paper, attempt is made to reveal the active research topics/themes within these Frontier Areas in 1990 and 1995. The active research topics, which are uncovered, are classified as Frontier Topics. Countries active in these frontier topics are distinguished in each time period. Association among countries and Frontier Topics are observed using the multivariate technique of correspondence analysis. Dynamics are observed by analysing the changes in the profiles of the countries in the two time periods. Results and implications of this study for decision-making and as a policy tool are highlighted.

Keywords: Analysis, Comparison, Decision Making, Decision-Making, Made, Methodology, Multivariate, Output, Paper, Policy, Profiles, Research

? Lin, Y. and Kaid, L.L. (2000), Fragmentation of the intellectual structure of political communication study: Some empirical evidence. Scientometrics, 47 (1), 143-164.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 143.pdf

Abstract: This study applies a method of author co-citation analysis to examine the intellectual structure of political communication study. Fifty one influential authors were selected from active members of the Political Communication Divisions of the International Communication Association (ICA) the National Communication Association (NCA), and the American Political Science Association (APSA). The results of the multidimensional scaling analysis and cluster analysis of these 51 selected authors’ co-citation patterns show that intellectual fragmentation exists in political communication research, scholars with different academic backgrounds exhibit specialties using particular research approaches to study certain subjects in the field: scholars do not have much information exchange, and thus they are intellectually separate and confined within the boundaries of each fragment. The findings of this quantitative study complements and cross-validates the assessment made by other traditional qualitative reviews about the field.

Keywords: Academic, Analysis, Assessment, Citation Networks, Cluster, Cluster Analysis, Co-Citation, Co-Citation Analysis, Cocitation, Communication, Fragmentation, Information, Information Exchange, Intellectual Structure, Journals, Made, Qualitative, Research, Reviews, Scaling, Structure

? Sangam, S.L. (2000), Emerging trends in scientometrics: Essays in honour of Dr. Ashok Jain. Scientometrics, 47 (1), 165-166

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 165.pdf

Keywords: Scientometrics, Trends

van den Besselaar, P. (2000), Communication between science and technology studies journals: A case study in differentiation and integration in scientific fields. Scientometrics, 47 (2), 169-193.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 169.pdf

Abstract: This paper analyzes the communication between science and technology journals (STS), to illustrate patterns of differentiation and integration within scientific fields. First the STS field is delineated, using journal-journal citations as the empirical base. A strong and increasing differentiation is found, between ‘qualitative STS’, ‘quantitative STS’ (scientometrics), and ‘S&T policy studies’. Given this process of differentiation. the relations between the three sub-fields of STS are analyzed, in terms of mutual flows of information, the joint information base, and research topics. Is differentiation and codification of sub-fields visible? The findings suggest that the relations between qualitative and quantitative STS are one-sided, and that integration between the sub-fields is almost completely lacking. However, the relations between scientometrics and S&T policy studies are much stronger and more substantial, and the same is the case for scientometrics and information science.

Keywords: Journals, Research, Scientometrics

? Bogaert, J., Rousseau, R. and Van Hecke, P. (2000), Percolation as a model for informetric distributions: Fragment size distribution characterised by Bradford curves. Scientometrics, 47 (2), 195-206.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 195.pdf

Abstract: It is shown how Bradford curves, i.e. cumulative rank-frequency functions, as used in informetrics, can describe the fragment size distribution of percolation models. This interesting fact is explained by arguing that some aspects of percolation can be interpreted as a model for the success-breeds-success or cumulative advantage phenomenon. We claim, moreover, that the percolation model can be used as a model to study (generalised) bibliographies. This article shows how ideas and techniques studied and developed in informetrics and scientometrics can successfully be applied in other fields of science, and vice versa.

? Van Borm, J., Corthouts, J. and Philips, R. (2000), Performance measurement in the Belgian document ordering and delivery system Impala. Scientometrics, 47 (2), 207-225.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 207.pdf

Abstract: This paper deals with performance measures and performance indicators in the Impala electronic document ordering and delivery system for research libraries in Belgium and compares these with some international standards as, e.g., the ProLib/Pi study commissioned by the European Commission. Performance measures: Costs(clearinghouse principle) Number of ILL requests made to other libraries Number of ILL requests made to other libraries without success Number of ILL requests made to other libraries with success Number of ILL requests received from other libraries Number of ILL requests received from other libraries and not satisfied Number of ILL requests received from other libraries that were satisfied Frequently asked titles Performance indicators: Success rate Borrowing-lending ratio per library Response times, split into several segments of the ILL-procedure The article concludes with some indications for quality measurement in electronic document delivery where Impala will be able to measure the real supply times as perceived by the end user.

Keywords: Belgium, Document Delivery, European Commission, Ill, Indicators, International Standards, Libraries, Made, Measurement, Opinion Paper, Paper, Performance, Performance Indicators, Performance Measures, Quality, Research, Standards

? Bra, P. (2000), Using hypertext metrics to measure research output levels. Scientometrics, 47 (2), 227-236.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 227.pdf

Abstract: Two common ways to measure the ‘output’ of a researcher (or research group) are to count numbers of publications and to count the citations (references to these publications in publications of others). These simple methods are flawed because they cannot easily take into account the differences in publication and citation habits in different scientific communities. An alternative approach is to view citations as hypertext links. and to use or adapt hypertext metrics to compare the scientific output of researchers, in comparison to that of others in areas with similar publication and citation patterns. We show how hypertext metrics, introduced by Botafogo, Rivlin and Shneiderman, can be modified in order to identify comparable research fields based on their publication and citation pattern. An author’s performance can then be compared to that of others in research fields with a similar pattern.

Keywords: Citation, Citations, Communities, Comparison, Group, Levels, Methods, Metrics, Modified, Order, Output, Performance, Publication, Publications, Research, Scientific Output

? Egghe, L. (2000), The distribution of N-grams. Scientometrics, 47 (2), 237-252.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 237.pdf

Abstract: N-grams are generalized words consisting of N consecutive symbols, as they are used in a text. This paper determines the rank-frequency distribution for redundant N-grams. For entire texts this is known to be Zipf’s law (i.e., an inverse power law). For N-grams, however, we show that the rank (r)-frequency distribution is P-N(r)=C/(psi(N)(r))(beta), where psi(N) is the inverse function of f(N)(x)=x ln(N-1)x. Here we assume that the rank-frequency distribution of the symbols follows Zipf’s law with exponent beta.

Keywords: Central-Limit-Theorem, Distribution, Function, Information-Retrieval, Law, Paper, Rank, Similarity, Zipfs Law

? Jansz, M.C.N. (2000), Some thoughts on the interaction between scientometrics and science and technology policy. Scientometrics, 47 (2), 253-264.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 253.pdf

Abstract: In 1988 Le Pair postulated the existence of a citation gap for technological research. Several cases were studied, which confirmed his hypothesis. In the same period the use of bibliometric indicators for policy purposes increased. Here we saw the citation gap causing a disadvantage for application-oriented research groups. This is not merely an injustice, it also leads to suboptimum use of available funds, to the detriment of science as a whole. In addition, it may, in the long term, undermine the reputation of scientometrics as a science ih its own right.

Keywords: Bibliometric, Bibliometric Indicators, Citation, Groups, Indicators, Interaction, Long-Term, Policy, Research, Science, Scientometrics, Technology Policy

? Leydesdorff, L. (2000), Is the European Union becoming a single publication system? Scientometrics, 47 (2), 265-280.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 265.pdf

Abstract: Using percentage performance shares of individual member states, the European Union can be assessed as if it were a network publication system. The prediction of systemness (based on the Markov property of the distribution) can be tested against the predictions of trend lines for individual nations. The publication performance of the EU can also be compared to that of the USA and Japan. The results suggest that a comparison with (global) world trade is important for understanding developments between the various R&D systems. Predictions for the 1999 indicator values are also provided.

Keywords: Citation, Comparison, Distribution, Eu, European Union, Global, Indicator, Japan, Networks, Performance, Prediction, Predictions, Publication, Science, Trend, USA

? Luwel, M. (2000), A bibliometric profile of Flemish research in natural, life and technical sciences. Scientometrics, 47 (2), 281-302.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 281.pdf

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of recent R&D policy developments in Flanders and Belgium. Special attention is paid to evaluation and monitoring, which are seen as central elements of the Flemish Government’s more dynamic science and technology policy. The paper describes the process of setting up the necessary instruments to perform bibliometric studies and the application of these instruments for drawing a profile of the natural, life and technical sciences research carried out in Flanders. Although the total publication output weighted by population or regional wealth, is still lower than that of other small, highly industrialised countries, the international visibility of this research is comparable, if not slightly higher.

Keywords: Attention, Belgium, Bibliometric, Bibliometric Studies, Dynamic, Elements, Evaluation, Flanders, Life, Monitoring, Natural, Output, Paper, Policy, Population, Process, Profile, Publication, Recent, Regional, Research, Research Performance, Science, Sciences, Technology Policy, Visibility

? Malo, S. and Geuna, A. (2000), Science-technology linkages in an emerging research platform: The case of combinatorial chemistry and biology. Scientometrics, 47 (2), 303-321.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 303.pdf

Abstract: This article focuses on issues concerning science and technology relationships posed by the emergence of a new drug discovery method, namely, combinatorial chemistry and biology. We assess the scientific content of combinatorial chemistry and biology using citations in patents to scientific journals and compare this research platform with biotechnology. We also identify the institutional affiliation of all the authors of the cited papers, which leads us to an analysis of knowledge spillovers between the main participants in the research network. Finally, we examine the relevance of localisation in the process of knowledge exchange with regard to EU countries and the US. The result of the analysis provides evidence to support the view that the inventive capacity of a country is dependent upon the basic research which is carried out, especially in universities and public research centres located in the inventor’s country.

Keywords: Analysis, Antigens, Basic Research, Biology, Biotechnology, Capacity, Citations, Combinatorial Chemistry, Drug, Drug Discovery, Emergence, EU, General-Method, Innovation, Knowledge, Libraries, Patents, Process, Research, Science, Solid-Phase Synthesis, Support, Universities, US

? Moed, H.F. (2000), Bibliometric indicators reflect publication and management strategies. Scientometrics, 47 (2), 323-346.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 323.pdf

Abstract: In a bibliometric study of nine research departments in the field of biotechnology and molecular biology, indicators of research capacity, output and productivity were calculated, taking into account the researchers’ participation in scientific collaboration as expressed in co-publications. In a quantitative approach, rankings of departments based on a number of different research performance indicators were compared with one another. The results were discussed with members from all nine departments involved. Two publication strategies were identified, denoted as a quantity of publication and a quality of publication strategy, and two strategies with respect to scientific collaboration were outlined, one focusing on multi-lateral and a second on bi-lateral collaborations. Our findings suggest that rankings of departments may be influenced by specific publication and management strategies, which in turn may depend upon the phase of development of the departments or their personnel structure. As a consequence, differences in rankings cannot be interpreted merely in terms of quality or significance of research. It is suggested that the problem of assigning papers resulting from multi-lateral collaboration to the contributing research groups has not yet been solved properly, and that more research is needed into the influence of a department’s state of development and personnel structure upon the values of bibliometric indicators. A possible implication at the science policy level is that different requirements should hold for departments of different age or personnel structure.

Keywords: Age, Authorship, Basic Research, Bibliometric, Bibliometric Indicators, Bibliometric Study, Bilateral, Biology, Biotechnology, Capacity, Collaboration, Development, Groups, Impact, Indicators, Management, Model, Molecular Biology, Molecular-Biology, Output, Participation, Performance, Performance Indicators, Policy, Productivity, Publication, Quality, Quantity, Rankings, Requirements, Research, Research Performance, Science, Science Policy, Science-Policy, Scientific Collaboration, Strategies, Strategy, Structure

? van Raan, A.F.J. (2000), On growth, ageing, and fractal differentiation of science. Scientometrics, 47 (2), 347-362.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 347.pdf

Abstract: On the basis of the measured time-dependent distribution of references in recent scientific publications, we formulate a novel model on the ageing of recent scientific literature. The framework of this model is given by a basic set of mathematical expressions that allows us to understand and describe large-scale growth and ageing processes in science over a long period of time. In addition, a further and striking consequence results in a self- consistent way from our model. After the Scientific Revolution in 16th century Europe, the ‘Scientific Evolution’ begins, and the driving processes growth and ageing unavoidably lead - just as in our biological evolution - to a fractal differentiation of science. A fractal structure means a system build up with subsystems characterised by a power-law size distribution. Such a distribution implies that there is no preference of size or scale. Often this phenomenon is regarded as a fingerprint of self-organisation. These findings are in agreement with earlier empirical findings concerning the clustering of scientific literature. Our observations reinforce the idea of science as a complex, largely self-organising ‘cognitive eco-system’. They also refute Kuhn’s paradigm model of scientific development.

Keywords: Ageing, Clustering, Complex, Development, Differentiation, Distribution, Driving, Dynamics, Ecosystem, Europe, Evolution, Fingerprint, Fractal Structure, Growth, Law, Lead, Model, Models, Obsolescence, Preference, Publications, Recent, Scale, Science, Scientific Publications, Size, Size Distribution, Structure

? Rinia, E.J. (2000), Scientometric studies and their role in research policy of two research councils in the Netherlands. Scientometrics, 47 (2), 363-378.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 363.pdf

Abstract: In the past 30 years various scientometric analyses have provided input data for research policy objectives of research institutions in the Netherlands. In this article we discuss several pioneering studies performed on behalf of the research councils for physics (FOM) and technical sciences (STW), which have played an important role in the early development of scientometrics in this country. The motives for these studies, the results and the influence on research policy are discussed. Relations to present themes in scientometric investigations are drawn.

Keywords: Development, Indicators, Institutions, Investigations, Motives, Policy, Research, Role, Sciences, Scientometrics

? Rousseau, R. and Smyers, M. (2000), Output-financing at LUC. Scientometrics, 47 (2), 379-387.

Full Text: 2000\Scientometrics47, 379.pdf

Abstract: LUC’s research council stimulates research by allocating a part of its funds based on results. The output-financing scheme is presented and its role in the university’s research policy is explained. It is shown how this works in practice. An important aspect is that not only articles in JCR-covered journals are included but also other publications. This scheme together with a full-scale scientometric study forms two important aspects (short term versus medium term) of the university’s research evaluation exercise. Its success is largely due to a general acceptance by the: scientists.

Keywords: Evaluation, Journals, Publications, Research, Research Performance, Scientometric

? Tijssen, R.J.W., Buter, R.K. and van Leeuwen, T.N. (2000), Technological relevance of science: An assessment of citation linkages between patents and research papers. Scientometrics,