Personal Research Database

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 15.pdf

Abstract: In this paper attempt has been made to unfold the intellectual base in ocean science and technology. The articles appeared in Science Citation Index (SCI) under Oceanography in the year 2000 were analyzed to decipher the scientist to scientist, organization to organization and country to country network structures. The causal linkages between the knowledge productivity function and the socio-economic imperatives of knowledge production units were studied.

Keywords: Ocean, Science, Marine Engineering, Scientometrics, Policy, Bibexcel, Ucinet, Network Analysis, Centrality, Research, Dynamics

? Bar-Ilan, J. (2004), Self-linking and self-linked rates of academic institutions on the Web. Scientometrics, 59 (1), 29-41.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 29.pdf

Abstract: In this paper we introduce two measures self-linked and self-linking that are the analogues of self-citing and self-cited rates for scientific journals. These rates are calculated for a sample of sites to assess their meaning and utility. Self-linked is the more meaningful measure for the sample sites. As a first step towards a better understanding of self-linking (linking within a site), a sample of pages from an academic site was characterized using the method of content analysis. Even though most of the links serve navigational or other technical purposes, the percentage of content-bearing links among the self-links is significant, and even the portion of research oriented links is non-negligible.

Keywords: Analysis, Bibliometrics, Citation, Content Analysis, Impact Factors, Information, Journals, Research, Scientific Journals, Sites

? Ajiferuke, I. and Wolfram, D. (2004), Modelling the characteristics of Web page outlinks. Scientometrics, 59 (1), 43-62.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 43.pdf

Abstract: Using data sampled from top-level Web pages across five high-level domains and from sample pages within individual websites, the authors investigate the frequency distribution of outlinks in Web pages. The observed distributions were fitted to different theoretical distributions to determine the best-fitting model for representing outlink frequency across Web pages. Theoretical models tested include the modified power law (MPL), Mandelbrot (MDB), generalized Waring (GW), generalized inverse Gaussian-Poisson (GIGP), and generalized negative binomial (GNB) distributions. The GIGP and GNB provided good fits for data sets for top-level pages across the high level domains tested, with the GIGP performing slightly better. The lumpiness and bimodal nature of two of the observed outlink distributions from Web pages within a given website resulted in poor fits of the theoretical models. The GIGP was able to provide better fits to these data sets after the top components were truncated. The ability to effectively model Web page attributes, such as the distribution of the number of outlinks per page, paves the way for simulation models of Web page structural content, and makes it possible to estimate the number of outlinks that may be encountered within Web pages of a specific domain or within individual websites.

Keywords: Authors, Frequency, Generalized Waring Distribution, Internet, Model, Modified, Power, Search Engines, Simulation, Theoretical Models, Websites, World-Wide-Web

? Glänzel, W., Thijs, B. and Schlemmer, B. (2004), A bibliometric approach to the role of author self-citations in scientific communication. Scientometrics, 59 (1), 63-77.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 63.pdf

Abstract: The present paper analyses the role of author self-citations aiming at finding basic regularities of self-citations within the process of documented scientific communication and thus laying the methodological groundwork for a possible critical view at self-citation patterns in empirical studies at any level of aggregation. The study consists of three parts, the first part of the study is concerned with the comparative analysis of the ageing of self-citations and of non-self citations, in the second part the possible interdependence between self-citations and foreign citations is analysed and in the third part the interrelation of the share of self-citations in all citations with other citation-based indicators is studied. The outcomes of this study are two-fold, first, the results characterise author self-citations - at least at the macro level - as an organic part of the citation process obeying rules that can be measured and described with the help of mathematical models. Second, these rules can be used in evaluative micro and meso analyses to identify significant deviations from the reference standards.

? Kim, K. (2004), The motivation for citing specific references by social scientists in Korea: The phenomenon of co-existing references. Scientometrics, 59 (1), 79-93.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 79.pdf

Abstract: This study, based on the premise that references are a social product that reflects the social environment of a society, is an attempt to explore the co-existence of Korean and non-Korean literature in the references to Korean papers. 321 authors (papers) who published in 43 issues of 24 Korean journals focused on the social sciences were surveyed about their research channels and citation motivations, and the 11,358 references in the papers were analyzed. The findings were as follows : (1) The extent of the co-existence was that non-Korean literature was cited 1.9 times (65.3%) more often than Korean literature; (2) Research channel was the most common non-Korean channel orientation (55.8%); (3) The motivation for citations was significantly dependent on whether the literature cited was Korean or non-Korean. Non-Korean literature was chiefly cited for conceptual (20.7%), perfunctory (16.0%), and persuasive (15.1%) motivations; (4) The citations and citation motivations behind non-Korean literature were significantly influenced by research channel, discipline, focus of research, publishing career, and type of paper. Of these variables, research channel was frequently related to the citation of non-Korean literature. Finally, this study is very suggestive on two counts: (1) Citation motivation might constitute a new approach for exploring the production of knowledge by researchers. (2) This study has demonstrated, in particular, an empirical relationship between knowledge produced by Korean social scientists and non-Korean knowledge through the analysis of citation motivation.

Keywords: Analysis, Authors, Citation, Citations, Classification, Environment, Indicators, Journals, Knowledge, Literature, Model, Motivation, Papers, Publishing, Research, Researchers, Sciences, Social, Social Environment, Social Sciences, Social Scientists

? Rey-Rocha, J. and Martin-Sempere, M.J. (2004), Patterns of the foreign contributions in some domestic vs. international journals on Earth Sciences. Scientometrics, 59 (1), 95-115.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 95.pdf

Abstract: Patterns of the foreign contributions published in six scientific journals on Earth Sciences published in different countries, have been studied as an approach for testing their level of internationalisation. Two of the multiple dimensions that determine the internationalisation of scientific journals are considered: the geographical distribution pattern of authors and the co-authorship linkages among them. The potential of the said journals to attract manuscripts by foreign authors and to promote international collaboration, through the publishing of co-authored papers involving or not scientists by its own country of publication, is investigated. Some other indicators on the degree of internationalisation of scientific journals, such as, language of publication, publishing institution, and national structure of editorial boards, are also considered. Finally, the geographic areas, the journal papers deal with, can be introduced as a new aspect of internationalisation. Three categories of journals clearly differentiated are identified and characterised: domestic, regional and international journals. The effect on publication and collaboration patterns, of geopolitical, cultural, economic and linguistic bonds among countries is discussed. The important role of domestic European journals on Earth Sciences is noted, as they are not only the main information source on the research carried out by local scientists whose study is focused on the geologic features of their country, but also, as an excellent vehicle of international diffusion for works by foreign scientists from developing countries. On the other hand, international collaborative articles in domestic journals constitute an indicator of the interest of the international community on the scientific studies in the publishing country.

Keywords: Authors, Citation, Co-Authorship, Coauthorship, Collaboration, Cooperation, Developing Countries, Diffusion, Geographically-Oriented Disciplines, Hand, Information, Interest, International Collaboration, Internationalisation, Journal, Journals, Papers, Publication, Publishing, Quality, Research, Sciences, Scientific Journals

Robert, C., Arreto, C.D., Azerad, J. and Gaudy, J.F. (2004), Bibliometric overview of the utilization of artificial neural networks in medicine and biology. Scientometrics, 59 (1), 117-130.

Full Text: S\Scientometrics59, 117.pdf

Abstract: The distribution of articles involving artificial neural networks (ANN) in the fields of medicine and biology and appearing in the ISI (Institute for Scientific Information) databases during the period 2000-2001 was analysed. The following parameters were considered: the number of articles, the total impact factor, the ISI journal category, the source country population, and the gross domestic product. Among the 803 articles and the 49 countries considered, the 5 most prolific (in term of the number of publications) were the USA, The United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Canada, other active countries included Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, France, Japan, and China. Comparison between the USA and the European Union, and the distribution of ANN publications among the subdisciplines of the life sciences and clinical medicine are also presented.

Keywords: European-Union

? Guan, J.C. and Wang, J.X. (2004), Evaluation and interpretation of knowledge production efficiency. Scientometrics, 59 (1), 131-155.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 131.pdf

Abstract: We propose an improved Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model to evaluate the efficiency of research groups in the area of information science in PR China. By taking the research groups as Decision Making Units (DMUs), the budget of the projects and size of the groups as inputs and the quantity and quality of publications produced by the groups as outputs of the model, the relative efficiencies of 21 research projects are evaluated. Then, we move to focus on the issues of knowledge management of the organizations that undertook these projects and attempt to explore the underlying reasons of high research efficiency. Through integrating the evaluation outcomes into research process, three indicators of knowledge management are identified for the best practice groups with highest research efficiency. The findings verify that the proposed model is valid and practical to assess research performances on the basis of bibliometric indicators.

Keywords: Bibliometric, Bibliometric Indicators, China, Citation Analysis, Data Envelopment Analysis, Dea, Evaluation, Index, Information, Information Science, Interpretation, Japanese, Knowledge, Management, Model, Organization, Outcomes, Practice, Publications, Quality, Quality of Publications, Research, Research Performance, Science, State, Units

? Koenig, M.E.D. and Mezick, E.M. (2004), Impact of mergers & acquisitions on research productivity within the pharmaceutical industry. Scientometrics, 59 (1), 157-169.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 157.pdf

Abstract: Several major econometric studies have looked at mergers and acquisitions (M&As) across various industries and concluded that, in general, there is no synergy created or released by M&A activity. This investigation concentrates upon research and development (R&D) performance in the pharmaceutical industry to examine the impact of M&A activity on corporate productivity. Findings indicate that, when compared to those companies within the pharmaceutical industry that did not experience merger activity during comparable time periods, as well as to the industry as a whole, pharmaceutical companies that merged were able to achieve more favorable post-merger productivity scores than were attained prior to their merger.

Keywords: Development, Impact, Industries, Industry, Pharmaceutical Companies, Productivity, Research, Research and Development, Research Productivity, Technical Change, Too Big

Notes: highly cited

Ho, Y.S. (2004), Citation review of Lagergren kinetic rate equation on adsorption reactions. Scientometrics, 59 (1), 171-177.

Full Text: S\Scientometrics59, 171.pdf

Abstract: This study presents a literature review concerning the preciseness of over 170 publications citing the original Lagergren’s paper in kinetics equation for solute adsorption on various adsorbents. This equation applies to a range of solid-liquid systems such as metal ions, dyestuffs and several organic substances in aqueous systems onto various adsorbents. The main objectives are to manifest different forms of citations presented and offers a correct reference style for citing the original Lagergren’s paper published in 1898.

Keywords: Activated Carbon, Adsorbent, Adsorption, Aqueous-Solution, Color Removal, Dye Removal, Fly-Ash, Heavy-Metals, Kinetic, Kinetics, Metal, Sorption, Waste-Water, Wastewaters

? Chan, F., Marinova, D. and McAleer, M. (2004), Modelling the asymmetric volatility of anti-pollution patents in the USA. Scientometrics, 59 (2), 179-197.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 179.pdf

Abstract: The paper analyses the asymmetric volatility of patents related to pollution prevention and abatement (hereafter, anti-pollution) technologies registered in the USA. Ecological and pollution prevention technology patents have increased steadily over time, with the 1990’s having been a period of intensive patenting of technologies related to the environment. The time-varying nature of the volatility of anti-pollution technology patents registered in the USA is examined using monthly data from the US Patent and Trademark Office for the period January 1975 to December 1999. Alternative symmetric and asymmetric volatility models, such as GARCH, GJR and EGARCH, are estimated and tested against each other using full sample and rolling windows estimation.

? Chen, C. and Hicks, D. (2004), Tracing knowledge diffusion. Scientometrics, 59 (2), 199-211.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 199.pdf

Abstract: Knowledge diffusion is the adaptation of knowledge in a broad range of scientific and engineering research and development. Tracing knowledge diffusion between science and technology is a challenging issue due to the complexity of identifying emerging patterns in a diverse range of possible processes. In this article, we describe an approach that combines complex network theory, network visualization, and patent citation analysis in order to improve the means for the study of knowledge diffusion. In particular, we analyze patent citations in the field of tissue engineering. We emphasize that this is the beginning of a longer-term endeavor that aims to develop and deploy effective, progressive, and explanatory visualization techniques for us to capture the dynamics of the evolution of patent citation networks. The work has practical implications on resource allocation, strategic planning, and science policy.

? Aksnes, D.W. and Sivertsen, G. (2004), The effect of highly cited papers on national citation indicators. Scientometrics, 59 (2), 213-224.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 213.pdf

Abstract: Citation distributions are extremely skewed. This paper addresses the following question: To what extent are national citation indicators influenced by a small minority of highly cited articles? This question has not been studied before at the level of national indicators. Using the scientific production of Norway as a case, we find that the average citation rates in major subfields are highly determined by one or only a few highly cited papers. Furthermore, there are large annual variations in the influence of highly cited papers on the average citation rate of the subfields. We conclude that an analysis of the underlying data for national indicators may be useful in creating awareness towards the occurrence of particular articles with great influence on what is normally considered an indicator of ‘national performance’, and that the common interpretation of the indicator on research policy level needs to be informed by this fact.

? Egghe, L. (2004), Solution of a problem of Buckland on the influence of obsolescence on scattering. Scientometrics, 59 (2), 225-232.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 225.pdf

Abstract: In an old paper [M.K. Buckland. Are obsolescence and scattering related? Journal of Documentation 28 (3) (1972) 242-246] Buckland poses the question if certain types of obsolescence of scientific literature (in terms of age of citations) implies certain types of journal scattering (in terms of cited journals). This problem is reformulated in terms of one- and two-dimensional obsolescence and linked with one- and two-dimensional growth, the latter being studied by Naranan. Naranan shows that two-dimensional exponential growth (i.e. of the journals and of the articles in journals) implies Lotka’s law, a law belonging to two-dimensional informetrics and describing scattering of literature in a concise way. In this way we obtain that exponential aging of journal citations and of article citations imply Lotka’s law and a relation is given between the exponent U, in Lotka’s law and the aging rates of the two obsolescence processes studied.

Keywords: Aging, Breeds-Success Principle, Citations, Growth, Informetrics, Journal, Journal of Documentation, Journals, Literature, Lotka’s Law, Scientific Literature

? Egghe, L. and Rousseau, R. (2004), How to measure own-group preference? A novel approach to a sociometric problem. Scientometrics, 59 (2), 233-252.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 233.pdf

Abstract: In this article we present a precise definition of the notion “own-group preference” and characterize all functions capable of correctly measuring it. Examples of such functions are provided. The weighted Lorenz curve and the theory developed for it will be our main tools for reaching this goal. We further correct our earlier articles on this subject. In the context of own-language preference, Bookstein and Yitzhaki proposed the logarithm of the odds-ratio as an acceptable measure of own-group preference. We now present a general framework within which the concept of own-group preference, and its opposite, namely own-group aversion, can be precisely pinpointed. This framework is derived form inequality theory and is based on the use of the weighted Lorenz curve. The concept of own-group preference is an interesting notion with applications in different fields such as sociology, political sciences, economics, management science and of course, the information sciences. Some examples are provided.

Keywords: Economics, Information, Journals, Language Self-Citation, Management, Science, Sciences, Sociology, Theory

Debackere, K. and Glänzel, W. (2004), Using a bibliometric approach to support research policy making: The case of the Flemish BOF-key. Scientometrics, 59 (2), 253-276.

Full Text: S\Scientometrics59, 253.pdf

Abstract: In this paper, we describe the development of a methodology and an instrument to support a major research funding allocation decision by the Flemish government. Over the last decade, and in parallel with the decentralization and the devolution of the Belgian federal policy authority towards the various regions and communities in the country, science and technology policy have become a major component of regional policy making. In the Flemish region, there has been an increasing focus on basing the funding allocation decisions that originate from this policy decentralization on ‘objective, quantifiable and repeatable’ decision parameters. One of the data sources and indicator bases that have received ample attention in this evolution is the use of bibliometric data and indicators. This has now led to the creation of a dedicated research and policy support staff, called ‘Steunpunt O&O Statistieken,’ and the first time application of bibliometric data and methods to support a major inter-university funding allocation decision. In this paper, we analyze this evolution. We show how bibliometric data have for the first time been used to allocate 93 million Euro of public research money between 6 Flemish universities for the fiscal year 2003, based on Web-of-Science SCI data provided to ‘Steunpunt O&O Statistieken’ via a license agreement with Tbomson-ISI. We also discuss the limitations of the current approach that was based on inter-university publication and citation counts. We provide insights into future adaptations that might make it more representative of the total research activity at the universities involved (e.g., by including data for the humanities) and of its visibility (e.g., by including impact measures). Finally, based on our current experience and interactions with the universities involved, we speculate on the future of the specific bibliometric approach that has now been adopted. More specifically, we hypothesize that the allocation method now developed and under further improvement will become more criticized if it turns out that it (1) also starts influencing intra-university research allocation decisions and, as a consequence (2) introduces adverse publication and citation behaviors at the universities involved.

Keywords: Research Performance, Flanders, Science

? Rousseau, R. (2004), Comments on a paper of Garg. Scientometrics, 59 (2), 277-278.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 277.pdf

Keywords: Nations, Scientific Wealth

? Garg, K.C. (2004), Comments on a paper of Garg - Reply. Scientometrics, 59 (2), 279.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 279.pdf

? Glänzel, W. and Thijs, B. (2004), World flash on basic research - the influence of author self-citations on bibliometric macro indicators. Scientometrics, 59 (3), 281-310.

Full Text: 2004\Scientometrics59, 281.pdf

Abstract: In a recent paper the authors have studied the role of author self-citations within the process of documented scientific communication. Two important regularities such as the relative fast ageing of self-citations with respect to foreign citations and the “square-root law” characterising the conditional expectation of self-citations for given number of foreign citation have been found studying the phenomenon of author self-citations at the macro level. The goal of the present paper is to study the effect of author self-citations on macro indicators. The analysis of citation based indicators for 15 fields in the sciences, social sciences and humanities substantiates that at this level of aggregation there is no need for any revision of national indicators and the underlying journal citation measures in the context of excluding self-citations.

Keywords: Ageing, Basic Research, Bibliometric, Citation, Citations, Communication, Humanities, Indicators, Journal, Patterns, Research, Science Fields, Scientific Communication, Self-Citations, Social Sciences

Lewison, G. (2004), James Bond and citations to his books. Scientometrics,