Personal Research Database

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 435.pdf

Abstract: Measurement of research activity still remains a controversial question. The use of the impact factor from the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) is quite widespread nowadays to carry out evaluations of all kinds, however, the calculation formula employed by ISI in order to construct its impact factors biases the results in favour of knowledge fields which are better represented in the sample, cite more in average and whose citations are concentrated in the early years of the articles. In the present work, we put forward a theoretical proposal regarding how aggregated normalization should be carried out with these biases, which allows comparing scientific production between fields, institutions and/or authors in a neutral manner. The technical complexity of such work, together with data limitations, lead us to propose some adjustments on the impact factor proposed by ISI which - although they do not completely solve the problem - reduce it and allow glimpsing the path towards more neutral evaluations. The proposal is empirically applied to three analysis levels: single journals, knowledge fields and the set of journals from the Journal Citation Report.

Keywords: Accuracy, Citation Analysis, Databases, Indicators, Informetrics, Journal Impact, Language, Performance, Publications, Quality

? Chen, C.F., Sun, K., Wu, G., Tang, Q., Qin, J., Chiu, K., Fu, Y.S., Wang, X.F. and Liu, J. (2009), The impact of internet resources on scholarly communication: A citation analysis. Scientometrics, 81 (2), 459-474.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 459.pdf

Abstract: The quality and credibility of Internet resources has been a concern in scholarly communication. This paper reports a quantitative analysis of the use of Internet resources in journal articles and addresses the concerns for the use of Internet resources scholarly journals articles. We collected the references listed in 35,698 articles from 14 journals published during 1996 to 2005, which resulted in 1,000,724 citations. The citation data was divided into two groups: traditional citations and Web citations, and examined based on frequencies of occurrences by domain and type of Web citation sources. The findings included: (1) The number of Web citations in the journals investigated had been increasing steadily, though the quantity was too small to draw an inclusive conclusion on the data about their impact on scientific research, (2) A great disparity existed among different disciplines in terms of using information on the Web. Applied disciplines and interdisciplinary sciences tended to cite more information on the Web, while classical and experimental disciplines cited little of Web information, (3) The frequency of citations was related to the reputation of the author or the institution issuing the information, and not to the domain or webpage types, and (4) The researchers seemed to lack confidence in Internet resources, and Web information was not as frequently cited as reported in some publications before. The paper also discusses the need for developing a guideline system to evaluate Web resources regarding their authority and quality that lies in the core of credibility of Web information.

Keywords: Behavior, Electronic Resources, Journals, Web

? Hu, X.J. and Rousseau, R. (2009), A comparative study of the difference in research performance in biomedical fields among selected Western and Asian countries. Scientometrics, 81 (2), 475-491.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 475.pdf

Abstract: In this study, a series of relative indicators are used to compare the difference in research performance in biomedical fields between ten selected Western and Asian countries. Based on Thomson’s Essential Science Indicators (ESI) 1996-2006, the output of papers and their citations in ten biomedical fields are compared at multiple levels using relative indicators. Chart diagrams and hierarchical clustering are applied to represent the data. The results confirm that there are many differences in intra- and interdisciplinary scientific activities between the West and the East. In most biomedical fields Asian countries perform below world average.

Keywords: China, EU, Europe, Impact, Indicators, Innovation, Output, Science, Technology, World

? Ye, F.Y. (2009), An investigation on mathematical models of the h-index. Scientometrics, 81 (2), 493-498.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 493.pdf

Abstract: Based on two large data samples from ISI databases, the author evaluated the Hirsch model, the Egghe-Rousseau model, and the Glänzel-Schubert model of the h-index. The results support the Glänzel-Schubert model as a better estimation of the h-index at both journal and institution levels. If h (c), h (p) and h (pc) stand for the Hirsch estimation, Egghe-Rousseau estimation, and Glänzel-Schubert estimation, respectively, then an inequality h (p) < h similar to h (pc) < h (c) holds in most cases.

Keywords: Hirsch-Index

? Lu, H.Q. and Feng, Y.Q. (2009), A measure of authors’ centrality in co-authorship networks based on the distribution of collaborative relationships. Scientometrics, 81 (2), 499-511.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 499.pdf

Abstract: Although there are many measures of centrality of individuals in social networks, and those centrality measures can be applied to the analysis of authors’ importance in co-authorship networks, the distribution of an author’s collaborative relationships among different communities has not been considered. This distribution or extensity is an important aspect of authors’ activity. In the present study, we will propose a new measure termed extensity centrality, taking into account the distribution of an author’s collaborative relationships. In computing the strength of collaborative ties, which is closely related to the extensity centrality, we choose Salton’s measure. We choose the ACM SIGKDD data as our testing data set, and analyze the result of authors’ importance from different points of view.

? Barcza, K. and Telcs, A. (2009), Paretian publication patterns imply Paretian Hirsch index. Scientometrics, 81 (2), 513-519.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 513.pdf

Abstract: The paper pursues the rigorous mathematical study of the Hirsch index and shows that it has power law upper tail distribution and determines the exponent provided that the underlying publication and citation distributions have fat tails as well. The result is demonstrated on the distribution of the Hirsch index of journals. The paper is concluded with some further remarks on the Hirsch index.

Keywords: h-Index, Journals

? Wohlin, C. (2009), A new index for the citation curve of researchers. Scientometrics, 81 (2), 521-533.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 521.pdf

Abstract: Internet has made it possible to move towards researcher and article impact instead of solely focusing on journal impact. To support citation measurement, several indexes have been proposed, including the h-index. The h-index provides a point estimate. To address this, a new index is proposed that takes the citation curve of a researcher into account. This article introduces the index, illustrates its use and compares it to rankings based on the h-index as well as rankings based on publications. It is concluded that the new index provides an added value, since it balances citations and publications through the citation curve.

Keywords: Institutions, Scholars

? Wainer, J., Xavier, E.C. and Bezerra, F. (2009), Scientific production in Computer Science: A comparative study of Brazil and other countries. Scientometrics, 81 (2), 535-547.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 535.pdf

Abstract: In this paper we present a study about scientific production in Computer Science in Brazil and several other countries, as measured by the number of articles in journals and conference proceedings indexed by ISI and by Scopus. We compare the Brazilian production from 2001 to 2005 with some Latin American, Latin European, BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China), and other relevant countries (South Korea, Australia and USA). We also classify and compare these countries according to the ratio of publications in journals and conferences (the ones indexed by the two services). The results show that Brazil has by far the largest production among Latin American countries, has a production about one third of Spain’s, one fourth of Italy’s, and about the same as India and Russia. The growth in Brazilian publications during the period places the country in the mid-range group and the distribution of Brazilian production according to impact factor is similar to most countries.

Keywords: Articles, Journals, Publications

? Campanario, J.M. (2009), Rejecting and resisting Nobel class discoveries: Accounts by Nobel Laureates. Scientometrics, 81 (2), 549-565.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 549.pdf

Abstract: I review and discuss instances in which 19 future Nobel Laureates encountered resistance on the part of the scientific community towards their discoveries, and instances in which 24 future Nobel Laureates encountered resistance on the part of scientific journal editors or referees to manuscripts that dealt with discoveries that later would earn them the Nobel Prize.

Keywords: Articles, Delayed Recognition, Physics, Referees, Reflections, Resistance, Scientific Discovery

? Egghe, L. (2009), Performance and its relation with productivity in Lotkaian systems. Scientometrics, 81 (2), 567-585.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 567.pdf

Abstract: In general information production processes (IPPs), we define productivity as the total number of sources but we present a choice of seven possible definitions of performance: the mean or median number of items per source, the fraction of sources with a certain minimum number of items, the h-, g-, R- and h(w)-index. We give an overview of the literature on different types of IPPs and each time we interpret “performance” in these concrete cases. Examples are found in informetrics (including webometrics and scientometrics), linguistics, econometrics and demography. In Lotkaian IPPs we study these interpretations of “performance” in function of the productivity in these IPPs. We show that the mean and median number of items per source as well as the fraction of sources with a certain minimum number of items are increasing functions of the productivity if and only if the Lotkaian exponent is decreasing in function of the productivity. We show that this property implies that the g-, R- and h(w)-indices are increasing functions of the productivity and, finally, we show that this property implies that the h-index is an increasing function of productivity. We conclude that the h-index is the indicator which shows best the increasing relation between productivity and performance.

Keywords: Authorship, Collaboration, Hirsch-Index, Internet, Random Networks, Scientific-Research Output, Successive h-Indexes, Topology, World-Wide-Web, Zipfs Law

? Vieira, E.S. and Gomes, J.A.N.F. (2009), A comparison of Scopus and Web of Science for a typical university. Scientometrics, 81 (2), 587-600.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 587.pdf

Abstract: For many years, the ISI Web of Knowledge from Thomson Reuters was the sole publication and citation database covering all areas of science thus becoming an invaluable tool in bibliometric analysis. In 2004, Elsevier introduced Scopus and this is rapidly becoming a good alternative. Several attempts have been made at comparing these two instruments from the point of view of journal coverage for research or for bibliometric assessment of research output. This paper attempts to answer the question that all researchers ask, i.e., what is to be gained by searching both databases? Or, if you are forced to opt for one of them, which should you prefer? To answer this question, a detailed paper by paper study is presented of the coverage achieved by ISI Web of Science and by Scopus of the output of a typical university. After considering the set of Portuguese universities, the detailed analysis is made for two of them for 2006, the two being chosen for their comprehensiveness typical of most European universities. The general conclusion is that about 2/3 of the documents referenced in any of the two databases may be found in both databases while a fringe of 1/3 are only referenced in one or the other. The citation impact of the documents in the core present in both databases is higher, but the impact of the fringe that are present only in one of the databases should not be disregarded as some high impact documents may be found among them.

Keywords: Citation, Databases, Google-Scholar, h-Index, Of-Science

? Qiu, H. and Chen, Y.F. (2009), Bibliometric analysis of biological invasions research during the period of 1991 to 2007. Scientometrics, 81 (3), 601-610.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 601.pdf

Abstract: The objective of this study is to conduct a bibliometric analysis of all biological invasions-related publications in the Science Citation Index (SCI) from 1991 to 2007. The indicator citation per publication (CPP) was used to evaluate the impact of articles, journals, and institutions. In the 3323 articles published in 521 journals, 7261 authors from 1905 institutions of 100 countries participated. As the most productive country of biological invasions research, the US will benefit from more collaboration between institutions, countries, and continents. In addition, analysis of keywords was applied to reveal research trends.

Keywords: Bibliometric Analysis, Ecology, Impact, Publications, Research, SCI, Science Citation Index

? Calver, M.C. and Bradley, J.S. (2009), Should we use the mean citations per paper to summarise a journal’s impact or to rank journals in the same field? Scientometrics, 81 (3), 611-615.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 611.pdf

Abstract: The mean citations per paper is used increasingly as a simple metric for indicating the impact of a journal or comparing journal rankings. While convenient, we suggest that it has limitations given the highly skewed distributions of citations per paper in a wide range of journals.

Keywords: Citations, Impact, Rankings

? Gagolewski, M. and Grzegorzewski, P. (2009), A geometric approach to the construction of scientific impact indices. Scientometrics, 81 (3), 617-634.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 617.pdf

Abstract: Two broad classes of scientific impact indices are proposed and their properties - both theoretical and practical - are discussed. These new classes were obtained as a geometric generalization of the well-known tools applied in scientometric, like Hirsch’s h-index, Woeginger’s w-index and the Kosmulski’s Maxprod. It is shown how to apply the suggested indices for estimation of the shape of the citation function or the total number of citations of an individual. Additionally, a new efficient and simple O(log n) algorithm for computing the h-index is given.

Keywords: Citations, h Index, h-Index, Hirsch-Index, Impact, Ranking, Researchers

? Panaretos, J. and Malesios, C. (2009), Assessing scientific research performance and impact with single indices. Scientometrics, 81 (3), 635-670.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 635.pdf

Abstract: We provide a comprehensive and critical review of the h-index and its most important modifications proposed in the literature, as well as of other similar indicators measuring research output and impact. Extensions of some of these indices are presented and illustrated.

Keywords: Bibliometric Indicators, Citation Analysis, h Index, Hirsch-Type Indexes, Impact, Journals, Model, Publications, Ranking, Research, Research Output, Science, Successive H-Indexes

? Zou, F., Wu, M.X. and Wu, K.L. (2009), Outcomes associated with ophthalmology, optometry and visual science literature in the Science Citation Index from mainland China, 2000-2007. Scientometrics, 81 (3), 671-682.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 671.pdf

Abstract: Bibliographic data on ophthalmology, optometry and visual science (OOVS) literature of China drawn from the SCI-Expanded database covering the period 2000-2007 (961 publications) were analyzed to create a comprehensive overview of research output. Of 961 articles, 480 were published in 2006 and 2007. The majority of researchers worked in university hospitals (53%). 21% of the publications included one or more international co-authors. For each article, the average author number was 4.96 +/- 2.73, which increased from 3.96 in 2000 to 5.36 in 2007. The most cited references came from Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science and Ophthalmology. The greatest number of studies was focused on the retina.

Keywords: Authorship, Bibliometric Analysis, China, Fields, Medical Journals, Publications, Research, Research Output, Research Productivity, Science Citation Index, Vision Science

? Guan, J.C. and Ma, N. (2009), Structural equation model with PLS path modeling for an integrated system of publicly funded basic research. Scientometrics, 81 (3), 683-698.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 683.pdf

Abstract: This study develops and tests an integrated conceptual model of basic research evaluation from a varying perspective. The main objective is to obtain a more complete understanding of the external factors affecting the publicly fund basic research in a country. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Partial Least Squares (PLS) is used to test the conceptual model with empirical data collected from WCY (World Competitiveness Yearbook) and ESI (Essential Science Indicators) database. Interrelationships among the research output and outcome, together with three external factors (resource, impetus, accumulative advantage) have been successfully explored and the conceptual model of journal evaluation has been examined.

Keywords: Academic Research, Cumulative Advantage, Departments, Essential Science Indicators, Evaluation, Indicators, Industrial-Innovation, Knowledge, Modeling, Paradigm, Productivity Growth, Research, Research Output, Research-and-Development, Science, SEM

? Mojzes, I. and Farkas, Z.B. (2009), The speed of dissemination of information about the realization of the fourth passive electronic circuit element measured by Google hits. Scientometrics, 81 (3), 699-702.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 699.pdf

Abstract: This paper aims to demonstrate briefly that major scientific achievements spread through the Internet according to an exponential expression until a saturation point.

Keywords: Memristor

? Hung, W.C., Lee, L.C. and Tsai, M.H. (2009), An international comparison of relative contributions to academic productivity. Scientometrics, 81 (3), 703-718.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 703.pdf

Abstract: This paper presents a methodology for measuring the improvements in efficiency and adjustments in the scale of R&D (Research & Development) activities. For this purpose, this study decomposes academic productivity growth into components attributable to (1) world academic frontier change, (2) R&D efficiency change, (3) human capital accumulation, and (4) capital accumulation. The world academic frontier at each point in time is constructed using data envelopment analysis (DEA). This study calculates each of the above four components of academic productivity for 27 countries over 1990-2003, and finds that the components which contribute to academic productivity growth vary with the different countries’ characteristics and development stages. Human capital has more weight in terms of the quantity of academic research, and capital accumulation plays a more important role in the citation impact of academic research.

Keywords: Cross-Country, Data Envelopment Analysis, Efficiency Analysis, Growth, Impact, Indicators, Investment, Nations, R&D, Research, Research-and-Development, Scientific Wealth, Universities

? Porter, A.L. and Rafols, I. (2009), Is science becoming more interdisciplinary? Measuring and mapping six research fields over time. Scientometrics, 81 (3), 719-745.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 719.pdf

Abstract: In the last two decades there have been studies claiming that science is becoming ever more interdisciplinary. However, the evidence has been anecdotal or partial. Here we investigate how the degree of interdisciplinarity has changed between 1975 and 2005 over six research domains. To do so, we compute well-established bibliometric indicators alongside a new index of interdisciplinarity (Integration score, aka Rao-Stirling diversity) and a science mapping visualization method. The results attest to notable changes in research practices over this 30 year period, namely major increases in number of cited disciplines and references per article (both show about 50% growth), and co-authors per article (about 75% growth). However, the new index of interdisciplinarity only shows a modest increase (mostly around 5% growth). Science maps hint that this is because the distribution of citations of an article remains mainly within neighboring disciplinary areas. These findings suggest that science is indeed becoming more interdisciplinary, but in small steps - drawing mainly from neighboring fields and only modestly increasing the connections to distant cognitive areas. The combination of metrics and overlay science maps provides general benchmarks for future studies of interdisciplinary research characteristics.

Keywords: Bibliometric Indicators, Bionanotechnology, Citations, Cocitation, Diversity, Mapping, Research, Strategies

? von Elm, E., Wandel, S. and Juni, P. (2009), The role of correspondence sections in post-publication peer review: A bibliometric study of general and internal medicine journals. Scientometrics, 81 (3), 747-755.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 747.pdf

Abstract: Scientific journals claim that correspondence sections are for post-publication peer review. We compared the conditions for submission and the bibliometrics of letters-to-editors published in leading medical journals in 2002 and 2007 using journal-derived information and data from PubMed and Journal Citation Reports. The median time limit for letter submissions decreased from 6 to 3.5 weeks, the median word limit from 400 to 350. The median number of letters per published article was near one in both years. Only about half of the letters were followed by an author reply in either year. Electronic response systems were available for four journals in 2007.

Keywords: Audit, Bibliometric Study, Bibliometrics, Correspondence Columns, Impact Factor, Old Letters, Rules

? Wray, K.B. (2009), Did professionalization afford better opportunities for young scientists? Scientometrics, 81 (3), 757-764.

Full Text: 2009\Scientometrics81, 757.pdf

Abstract: I examine whether the professionalization of science, a process that unfolded between 1600 and 1899, afforded better opportunities for young scientists to make significant discoveries. My analysis suggests that the professionalization of the sciences did make it a little easier for scientists to make significant contributions at a younger age. But, I also argue that it is easy to exaggerate the effects of professionalization. Older and middle age scientists continued to play an important role in making significant discoveries throughout the history of modern science.

Keywords: Acceptance, Age, Productivity, Science

? Sierra-Flores, M.M., Guzman, M.V., Raga, A.C. and Perez, I. (2009), The productivity of Mexican astronomers in the field of outflows from young stars. Scientometrics,