Personal Research Database

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 125.pdf

Abstract: Scientific journals represent a significant and growing part of the libraries and many researchers have attempted to measure their use by various methodological approaches till date. In this paper, the author reviews the methodologies employed by researchers working on scientific journals usage. It aims to present an overall picture of the research methods used in the area, in a way that will be of value to anyone seeking to study scientific journals. The author reviews four main research methodologies which are being used for profiling scientific journals usage including questionnaire, interview, citation analysis and transaction log analysis.

Keywords: Analysis, Citation, Citation Analysis, Impact Factors, Journals, Logs, Methods, Questionnaire, Research, Scientific Journals

? Fiala, D., Rousselot, F. and Jezek, K. (2008), PageRank for bibliographic networks. Scientometrics, 76 (1), 135-158.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 135.pdf

Abstract: In this paper, we present several modifications of the classical PageRank formula adapted for bibliographic networks. Our versions of PageRank take into account not only the citation but also the co-authorship graph. We verify the viability of our algorithms by applying them to the data from the DBLP digital library and by comparing the resulting ranks of the winners of the ACM E. F. Codd Innovations Award. Rankings based on both the citation and co-authorship information turn out to be “better” than the standard PageRank ranking.

Keywords: Citation, Co-Authorship, Coauthorship, Graph, Information, Publications, Ranking, Standard

? Leydesdorff, L. (2008), The delineation of nanoscience and nanotechnology in terms of journals and patents: A most recent update. Scientometrics, 76 (1), 159-167.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 159.pdf

Abstract: The journal set which provides a representation of nanoscience and nanotechnology at the interfaces among applied physics, chemistry, and the life sciences is developing rapidly because of the introduction of new journals. The relevant contributions of nations can be expected to change according to the representations of the relevant interfaces among journal sets. In the 2005 set the position of the USA decreased more than in the 2004-set, while the EU-27 gained in terms of its percentage of world share of citations. The tag “Y01N” which was newly added to the EU classification system for patents, allows for the visualization of national profiles of nanotechnology in terms of relevant patents and patent classes.

Keywords: Chemistry, China, Citations, Classification, EU, Interfaces, Journal, Journals, Life, Life Sciences, Nanoscience, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology, Nations, Patent, Patents, Representation, Science, Sciences, USA, Visualization

? Haslam, N., Ban, L., Kaufmann, L., Loughnan, S., Peters, K., Whelan, J. and Wilson, S. (2008), What makes an article influential? Predicting impact in social and personality psychology. Scientometrics, 76 (1), 169-185.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 169.pdf

Abstract: Factors contributing to citation impact in social-personality psychology were examined in a bibliometric study of articles published in the field’s three major journals. Impact was operationalized as citations accrued over 10 years by 308 articles published in 1996, and predictors were assessed using multiple databases and trained coders. Predictors included author characteristics (i.e., number, gender, nationality, eminence), institutional factors (i.e., university prestige, journal prestige, grant support), features of article organization (i.e., title characteristics, number of studies, figures and tables, number and recency of references), and research approach (i.e., topic area, methodology). Multivariate analyses demonstrated several strong predictors of impact, including first author eminence, having a more senior later author, journal prestige, article length, and number and recency of references. Many other variables - e.g., author gender and nationality, collaboration, university prestige, grant support, title catchiness, number of studies, experimental vs. correlational methodology, topic area - did not predict impact.

Keywords: Analyses, Approach, Bibliometric, Bibliometric Study, Characteristics, Citation, Citations, Collaboration, Databases, Disciplines, Experimental, First, Gender, Impact, Information-Science, Institutional Factors, Journal, Journals, Length, Manuscript, Methodology, Model, Organization, Personality, Personality Psychology, Predictors, Psychology, Quality, Reliability, Research, Social, Support, University

? Schreiber, M. (2008), The influence of self-citation corrections on Egghe’s g index. Scientometrics, 76 (1), 187-200.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 187.pdf

Abstract: The g index was introduced by Leo Egghe as an improvement of Hirsch’s index h for measuring the overall citation record of a set of articles. It better takes into account the highly skewed frequency distribution of citations than the h index. I propose to sharpen this g index by excluding the self-citations. I have worked out nine practical cases in physics and compare the h and g values with and without self-citations. As expected, the g index characterizes the data set better than the h index. The influence of the self-citations appears to be more significant for the g index than for the h index.

Keywords: Citation, Citation Record, Citations, g Index, g-Index, h Index, h-Index, Index h, Record, Researchers, Self-Citation, Self-Citations

? Lombardo, L. (2008), New indicators linking patenting and business R&D expenditure. Scientometrics, 76 (2), 201-224.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 201.pdf

Abstract: The paper presents a new national level indicator based on shares of OECD aggregate ‘external’ patent applications world-wide. It provides the first reliable trend data for patent applications since new patent application procedures were introduced in the 1980s. The trends show a strong correlation with business R&D expenditure (BERD) trend data similarly based on shares of OECD aggregate BERD, reaffirming a relationship observed in previous studies using granted patents. However the reliability of the current indicator over an extended 20 year period shows that in two cases, the US and UK, there is divergence in correlation over part of the period studied. This aspect of the study provides evidence that the surge in external patenting in the US, over the period 1989 to 1996, is not driven by BERD and strongly suggests public sector research as a driver. This result shows that the new patent applications indicator can monitor factors in national systems not easily observed by other means. In this case it shows potential for monitoring the success of policies in driving public sector research towards commercial outcomes.

Keywords: Business, Driving, Evidence, First, Indicator, Indicators, Outcomes, Patent, Patents, Potential, Procedures, Public Sector, Reliability, Research, Sector, Statistics, Trends, UK, US

Abramo, G., D’Angelo, C.A. and Pugini, F. (2008), The measurement of Italian universities’ research productivity by a non parametric-bibliometric methodology. Scientometrics, 76 (2), 225-244.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 225.pdf

Abstract: This paper presents a methodology for measuring the technical efficiency of research activities. It is based on the application of data envelopment analysis to bibliometric data on the Italian university system. For that purpose, different input values (research personnel by level and extra funding) and output values (quantity, quality and level of contribution to actual scientific publications) are considered. Our study aims at overcoming some of the limitations connected to the methodologies that have so far been proposed in the literature, in particular by surveying the scientific production of universities by authors’ name.

Keywords: Analysis, Application, Bibliometric, Citation, Data, Data Envelopment, Data Envelopment Analysis, Efficiency, Funding, Impact, Indicators, Literature, Measurement, Methodologies, Methodology, Personnel, Productivity, Publications, Purpose, Quality, Research, Research Productivity, Scientific Production, Scientific Publications, Scientists, Universities, University

? Ma, R.M., Ni, C.Q. and Qiu, J.P. (2008), Scientific research competitiveness of world universities in computer science. Scientometrics, 76 (2), 245-260.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 245.pdf

Abstract: This article evaluates the scientific research competitiveness of world universities in computer science. The data source is the Essential Science Indicator (ESI) database with a time span of more than 10 years, from 01/01/1996 to 08/31/2006. We establish a hierarchical indicator system including four primary indicators which consist of scientific research production, influence, innovation and development and six secondary indicators which consist of the number of papers, total citations, highly cited papers, hot papers, average citations per paper and the ration of highly cited papers to papers. Then we assign them with proper weights. Based on these, we obtain the rankings of university and country/territory competitiveness in computer science. We hope this paper can contribute to the further study in the evaluation of a certain subject or a whole university.

Keywords: Bibliometric Methods, Citations, Data, Database, Development, Evaluation, Indicator, Indicators, Innovation, Papers, Primary, Rankings, Research, Research Performance, Science, Scientific Research, Source, Universities, University, World

? Sambunjak, D., Ivanis, A., Marusic, A. and Marusic, M. (2008), Representation of journals from five neighboring European countries in the Journal Citation Reports. Scientometrics, 76 (2), 261-271.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 261.pdf

Abstract: This study explores the representation of scientific journals from Italy, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia and Montenegro in the Thomson Scientific’s 2005 Journal Citation Reports (JCR). The number of journals covered by JCR was analyzed in relation to scientific productivity of selected countries and the size of their economies, and no apparent relationship between these factors was found. Our findings suggest that other factors, including the quality of individual journals, may influence how many journals a country will have in the JCR.

Keywords: Croatia, Database, Hungary, Impact Factor, Italy, Journal Citation Reports, Journals, Language, Quality, Representation, Scientific Journals, Size, Visibility, War

Ahlgren, P. and Jarneving, B. (2008), Bibliographic coupling, common abstract stems and clustering: A comparison of two document-document similarity approaches in the context of science mapping. Scientometrics, 76 (2), 273-290.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 273.pdf

Abstract: This paper deals with two document-document similarity approaches in the context of science mapping: bibliographic coupling and a text approach based on the number of common abstract stems. We used 43 articles, published in the journal Information Retrieval, as test articles. An information retrieval expert performed a classification of these articles. We used the cosine measure for normalization, and the complete linkage method was used for clustering the articles. A number of articles pairs were ranked (1) according to descending normalized coupling strength, and (2) according to descending normalized frequency of common abstract stems. The degree of agreement between the two obtained rankings was low, as measured by Kendall’s tau. The agreement between the two cluster solutions, one for each approach, was fairly low, according to the adjusted Rand index. However, there were examples of perfect agreement between the coupling solution and the stems solution. The classification generated by the expert contained larger groups compared to the coupling and stems solutions, and the agreement between the two solutions and the classification was not high. According to the adjusted Rand index, though, the stems solution was a better approximation of the classification than the coupling solution. With respect to cluster quality, the overall Silhouette value was slightly higher for the stems solution. Examples of homogeneous cluster structures, as well as negative Silhouette values, were found with regard to both solutions. The expert classification indicates that the field of information retrieval, as represented by one volume of articles published in Information Retrieval, is fairly heterogeneous regarding research themes, since the classification is associated with 15 themes. The complete linkage method, in combination with the upper tail rule, gave rise to a fairly good approximation of the classification with respect to the number of identified groups, especially in case of the stems approach.

Keywords: Bibliographic Coupling, Classification, Clustering, Comparison, Information, Information Retrieval, Journal, Linkage, Normalization, Quality, Rankings, Research, Science, Science Mapping, Similarity, Solution

? Navarro, A. and Martin, M. (2008), Scientific production and collaboration in Epidemiology and Public Health, 1997-2002. Scientometrics, 76 (2), 291-313.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 291.pdf

Abstract: This study aims to describe international scientific production and collaboration in Epidemiology and Public Health. It is a bibliometric analysis of articles published during 1997-2002 in 39 international journals. The United States has the greatest production in absolute terms, participating in 46% of the articles studied. Next come Great Britain (13.3%), and Canada (6.8%). In 34.8% of the articles involved participation by at least one of the 15 European Union countries. After adjustment for population and GDP, the Scandinavian countries, The Netherlands, and Australia holding the leading positions. In terms of collaboration, groups of countries with similar profiles are observed.

Keywords: Analysis, Australia, Bibliometric, Bibliometric Analysis, Britain, Canada, Collaboration, European Union, International, International Collaboration, Journals, Participation, Population, Profiles, Science, Scientific Production, The Netherlands, United States

? Yan, E. and Zhu, Q.H. (2008), Hyperlink analysis for government websites of Chinese provincial capitals. Scientometrics, 76 (2), 315-326.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 315.pdf

Abstract: With the data retrieved from the search engines of Yahoo and SOGOU, this article aims to study the total backlink counts, external backlink counts and the Web Impact Factors for government websites of Chinese provincial capitals. By studying whether the backlink counts and WIFs of websites associate with the comprehensive ratings for these websites, the article demonstrates that the backlink counts can be a better evaluation measure for government websites than WIFs. At length, this article also discusses the correlation between backlink counts and economic capacity, and illustrates that backlink counts can also be an indicator for economic status.

Keywords: Analysis, Capacity, Chinese, Citations, Counts, Evaluation, Indicator, Information, Links, Sites, University, Web Impact Factors

? Qiu, J.P., Li, Y.J., Li, J. and Ren, Q. (2008), An exploratory study on substantive co-link analysis: A modification to total co-link analysis. Scientometrics, 76 (2), 327-341.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 327.pdf

Abstract: Since the term “co-link” was put forward, many scholars have done exploratory investigations to prove the applicability and validity of co-link analysis used in mapping internet structure and mining relationships among internet colonies. All of these studies are based on the whole links in the web called “total co-link analysis”. However, there are both substantive and non-substantive links in the web, and the number of the latter outweights that of the former, which makes the preconditions of total co-link analysis untenable. In this paper, we present “substantive co-link analysis”, and believe it is more sound and valid than “total co-link analysis”. Then exploratory investigations on both total and substantive co-link analysis are carried out with the sample of 20 academic blogs on Library and Information Science, the results of which testify our assumption that “substantive co-link analysis” is more efficient and reasonable than “total co-link analysis”.

Keywords: Analysis, Author Cocitation Analysis, Information-Science, Mining, Modification, Structure, Validity, Web, Web Environment

? Ynalvez, M.A. and Shrum, W. (2008), International graduate training, digital inequality and professional network structure: An ego-centric social network analysis of knowledge producers at the “Global South”. Scientometrics, 76 (2), 343-368.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 343.pdf

Abstract: Based on a face-to-face survey of 312 scientists from government research institutes and state universities in two Philippine locations - Los Banos, Laguna and Munoz, Nueva Ecija - we examine how graduate training and digital factors shape the professional network of scientists at the “Global South.” Results suggest that scientists prefer face-to-face interaction, there is no compelling evidence that digitally-mediated interaction will replace meaningful face-to-face interaction. What is evident is that among none face-to-face modes of communication a reordering maybe in progress. The effect of digital factors - expressed through advance hardware-software-user interaction skills - lies on network features pertaining to size, proportion of male and of core-based alters, and locational diversity. International graduate training and ascribed factors (gender and number of children) also configure the professional network of scientists - actors traditionally viewed as the epitome of rationality and objectivity. We argue that these factors influence knowledge production through a system of patronage and a culture that celebrates patrifocality. We forward the hypothesis that knowledge production at the “Global South” closely fits Callon’s [1995] extended translation model of science.

Keywords: Analysis, Children, Communication, Core, Culture, Evidence, Gender, Graduate, Inequality, Interaction, Internet, Knowledge, Male, Model, Network, Network Analysis, Rationality, Research, Resources, Science, Scientists, Size, Social Network Analysis, Structure, Survey, Tacit Knowledge, Ties, Training, Translation, Universities, Voluntary Organizations

? Lehmann, S., Jackson, A.D. and Lautrup, B.E. (2008), A quantitative analysis of indicators of scientific performance. Scientometrics, 76 (2), 369-390.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 369.pdf

Abstract: Condensing the work of any academic scientist into a one-dimensional indicator of scientific performance is a difficult problem. Here, we employ Bayesian statistics to analyze several different indicators of scientific performance. Specifically, we determine each indicator’s ability to discriminate between scientific authors. Using scaling arguments, we demonstrate that the best of these indicators require approximately 50 papers to draw conclusions regarding long term scientific performance with usefully small statistical uncertainties. Further, the approach described here permits statistical comparison of scientists working in distinct areas of science.

Keywords: Analysis, Comparison, Complex Networks, Indicator, Indicators, Papers, Quantitative Analysis, Scaling, Science, Small, Statistics, Work

? Sonderstrup-Andersen, E.M. and Sonderstrup-Andersen, H.H.K. (2008), An investigation into diabetes researcher’s perceptions of the Journal Impact Factor - reconsidering evaluating research. Scientometrics, 76 (2), 391-406.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 391.pdf

Abstract: Currently the Journal Impact Factors (JIF) attracts considerable attention as components in the evaluation of the quality of research in and between institutions. This paper reports on a questionnaire study of the publishing behaviour and researchers preferences for seeking new knowledge information and the possible influence of JIF on these variables. 54 Danish medical researchers active in the field of Diabetes research took part. We asked the researchers to prioritise a series of scientific journals with respect to which journals they prefer for publishing research and gaining new knowledge. In addition we requested the researchers to indicate whether or not the JIF of the prioritised journals has had any influence on these decisions. Furthermore we explored the perception of the researchers as to what degree the JIF could be considered a reliable, stable or objective measure for determining the scientific quality of journals. Moreover we asked the researchers to judge the applicability of JIF as a measure for doing research evaluations. One remarkable result is that app. 80% of the researchers share the opinion that JIF does indeed have an influence on which journals they would prefer for publishing. As such we found a statistically significant correlation between how the researchers ranked the journals and the JIF of the ranked journals. Another notable result is that no significant correlation exists between journals where the researchers actually have published papers and journals in which they would prefer to publish in the future measured by JIF. This could be taken as an indicator for the actual motivational influence on the publication behaviour of the researchers. That is, the impact factor actually works in our case. It seems that the researchers find it fair and reliable to use the Journal Impact Factor for research evaluation purposes.

Keywords: Behaviour, Citation Analysis, Diabetes, Evaluation, Impact Factor, Indicator, Information, Institutions, Investigation, Journals, Knowledge, Medical, Papers, Perception, Publication, Publishing, Quality, Questionnaire, Research, Research Evaluation, Scientific Journals

? Yu, G. and Yu, D.R. (2008), Design and simulation on the publication delay control system. Scientometrics, 76 (3), 407-427.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 407.pdf

Abstract: Based on the simulation study of the publication delay control process [YU & AL., 2005], transfer function models of delay control processes by adjusting the accepted contribution flux and the published contribution flux are identified using system identification. According to Cybernetics, the feedback control system of the publication delay is designed and control processes are simulated and analyzed when the average publication delay are regarded as the controlled object. On the basis of the relation between the average publication delay and the deposited contribution quantity, another control method is proposed that the deposited contribution quantity is regarded as the controlled object and the simulation result proves that the method is an excellent means and can help editors expediently manage their journals and control publication delays.

Keywords: AL, Control, Function, Identification, Journals, Models, Publication, Publication Delay, Publishing Process, Simulation, Transfer Function

? Plaza, L.M. and Albert, A. (2008), Scientific literature cited in USPTO patent documents as indicators for the evaluation and analysis of Spanish scientific research in biomedical disciplines. Scientometrics, 76 (3), 429-438.

Full Text: 2008\Scientometrics76, 429.pdf

Abstract: The use of indicators based on the analysis of the scientific literature cited in patent documents is proposed for the evaluation of biomedical research. A study carried out on several groups of researchers working in universities, public research centers, and hospitals, has shown that an important percentage of Spanish scientists have authored publications that are cited in US patents in the field of Biotechnology. The study and analysis of those cites allows a evaluation of the flow of knowledge generated by the different groups of scientists towards the development of technologies, and to learn on the relationship between the characteristics of the cited publications and the frequency they are cited in the patents. The results obtained avail the use of new indicators based on the cites in patents to perform a more complete evaluation of the published research related with Biotechnology and Biomedicine, both at the level of research institutions and individual scientists.

Keywords: Analysis, Biomedical, Biomedical Research, Biotechnology, Characteristics, Development, Evaluation, Field, Flow, Hospitals, Indicators, Institutions, Knowledge, Literature, Patent, Patents, Public, Publications, Research, Science, Scientific Literature, Scientific Research, Technologies, Technology, Universities, US

? Kyvik, S. and Olsen, T.B. (2008), Does the aging of tenured academic staff affect the research performance of universities? Scientometrics,