Personal Research Database

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 77.pdf

Abstract: We take a new look at the Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities to evaluate the performance of whole university systems. We deal with system aggregates by means of averaging scores taken over a number of institutions from each higher education system according to the Gross Domestic Product of its country. We treat the set of indicators (measures) at the country level as a scale, and investigate its reliability and dimensionality using appropriate statistical tools. After a Principal Component Analysis is performed, a clear picture emerges: at the aggregate level ARWU seems to be a very reliable one-dimensional scale, with a first component that explains more than 72% of the variance of the sample under analysis. The percentages of variance of the indicators explained by the first component do shed light on the fact that ARWU is in fact measuring the research quality (both at the individual and collective levels) of a university system. When the second principal component is taken into account, the two principal components contribute to explain more than 90% of the variance. The rotated solution facilitates the interpretation of the components and provides clear and interesting clustering information about the 32 higher education systems under analysis.

Keywords: Analysis, Clustering, Education, Indicators, Light, PCA, Performance, Ranking, Reliability, Research, Research Performance, Scale, Shanghai, Shanghai Ranking, System, Universities, University System

? Bornmann, L., Neuhaus, C. and Daniel, H.D. (2011), The effect of a two-stage publication process on the Journal Impact Factor: A case study on the interactive open access journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. Scientometrics, 86 (1), 93-97.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 93.pdf

Abstract: Taking the interactive open access journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics as an example, this study examines whether Thomson Reuters, for the Journal Citation Reports, correctly calculates the Journal Impact Factor (JIF) of a journal that publishes several versions of a manuscript within a two-stage publication process. The results of this study show that the JIF of the journal is not overestimated through the two-stage publication process.

Keywords: Angewandte-Chemie, Chemistry, Citation, Citations, Impact Factor, Impact-Factor, Index, Indicators, Journal, Journal Citation Reports, Journal Impact Factor, Misuse, Open Access, Peer Review, Process, Publication, Reports, Science

? Waaijer, C.J.F., van Bochove, C.A. and van Eck, N.J. (2011), On the map: Nature and Science editorials. Scientometrics, 86 (1), 99-112.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 99.pdf

Abstract: Bibliometric mapping of scientific articles based on keywords and technical terms in abstracts is now frequently used to chart scientific fields. In contrast, no significant mapping has been applied to the full texts of non-specialist documents. Editorials in Nature and Science are such non-specialist documents, reflecting the views of the two most read scientific journals on science, technology and policy issues. We use the VOSviewer mapping software to chart the topics of these editorials. A term map and a document map are constructed and clusters are distinguished in both of them. The validity of the document clustering is verified by a manual analysis of a sample of the editorials. This analysis confirms the homogeneity of the clusters obtained by mapping and augments the latter with further detail. As a result, the analysis provides reliable information on the distribution of the editorials over topics, and on differences between the journals. The most striking difference is that Nature devotes more attention to internal science policy issues and Science more to the political influence of scientists.

Keywords: Analysis, Bibliometric, Bibliometrics, Classification, Clustering, Cocitation Analysis, Document Clustering, Editorials, Full-Text, Information-Science, Journals, Mapping, Science, Scientific Journals, Software, Technology, Vosviewer

? Claro, J. and Costa, C.A.V. (2011), A made-to-measure indicator for cross-disciplinary bibliometric ranking of researchers performance. Scientometrics, 86 (1), 113-123.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 113.pdf

Abstract: This paper presents and discusses a new bibliometric indicator of research performance, designed with the fundamental concern of enabling cross-disciplinary comparisons. The indicator, called x-index, compares a researcher’s output to a reference set of research output from top researchers, identified in the journals where the researcher has published. It reflects publication quantity and quality, uses a moderately sized data set, and works with a more refined definition of scientific fields. x-index was developed to rank researchers in a scientific excellence award in the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. The data set collected for the 2009 edition of the award is used to study the indicator’s features and design choices, and provides the basis for a discussion of its advantages and limitations.

Keywords: Bibliometric, Bibliometric Indicators, Cross-Disciplinarity, Data, Impact, Index, Individuals, Journals, Output, Performance, Publication, Rankings, Research, Research Output, Research Performance, Researchers

? Bouabid, H., Dalimi, M. and ElMajid, Z. (2011), Impact evaluation of the voluntary early retirement policy on research and technology outputs of the faculties of science in Morocco. Scientometrics, 86 (1), 125-132.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 125.pdf

Abstract: Scientometric indicators or science metrics, conventional and derived ones, are used in ex-post evaluating of a government policy with impact on research system. Publications, citations, h-index, Glänzel model, and patents are applied in both micro and meso levels. This provides useful insight into the impact of the voluntary early retirement policy on research and technological outputs of the faculties of science in Morocco and consequently on the overall Morocco’s research system. The use of these metrics showed that the effect of the initiative was quite limited by affecting an average of 8% of the professor staffs of these institutions. Furthermore, each professor benefiting from this initiative had produced an average of 3.7 publications indexed in SCI in all his (her) career. The few number of the publications attributed to these professors had been gradually decreasing even 6 years before the initiative. No specific scientific field had intensively been struck. The findings also support that these professors were in general more ‘author’ than ‘inventor’. Inventor-professor institutions were likely more affected by the initiative. By means of these metrics, even if the initiative had not contributed to rejuvenate the professor-staffs of the faculties of science in Morocco, would nevertheless be a stimulus of their research system with respect to their scientometric indicators.

Keywords: Author, Chemistry, Citations, Evaluation, Field, H Index, H-Index, Hirsch-Index, Impact, Indicators, Metrics, Model, Morocco, Patent, Patents, Professors, Public Policy, Publication, Publications, Research, Research And Technology Outputs, Sci, Science, Scientific Field, Scientists, Scientometric Indicators, Support, System, Technology

? Borsi, B. and Schubert, A. (2011), Agrifood research in Europe: A global perspective. Scientometrics, 86 (1), 133-154.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 133.pdf

Abstract: The paper has the general aim of assessing the worldwide research activity in agricultural and food science and technology as it is reflected by the mainstream journal literature. The specific research questions were as follows: (1) What is the position of the European Research Area (ERA) represented by 33 countries in this study, on the world map of agrifood science publications? (2) Which countries are influential and what is their position? (3) Are there any specific European strengths and weaknesses by subfields of agrifood science? Overall, assessed by the total number of publications, the European Research Area (ERA), represented by 33 countries in this study, is in a dominant position on the world map of agrifood science. However, agrifood publications from the United States are more influential (judged by the average citation rates per paper). Correlation has been found between economic power and agrifood science publications: this is true not only for the total number of papers, but also for influence (measured by, again, the citation rates). Within Europe, the UK, Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands dominate the agrifood research fields also in terms of citations. The Scandinavian countries, the Benelux states and Switzerland manage to produce influential papers across several fields of agrifood science. The EU’s New Member States-a populous area-together have less than 10% share in Europe’s agrifood publications and in citations they account for a 3-4% portion only. It seems that deepening of the integration of the national research systems in the European Research Area is desirable to have more impact of European agrifood research viewed from a global perspective.

Keywords: Activity, Agricultural-Research, Agriculture, Citation, Citation Analysis, Citation Rates, Citations, Era, Europe, European Union, Food Science, Food-Science, Germany, Impact, Journal, Literature, Number Of Publications, Publication, Publication Analysis, Publications, Research, Science, Science and Technology, Scientific Production, Spain, Switzerland, Technology, UK

? Ivanovic, D., Surla, D. and Rackovic, M. (2011), A CERIF data model extension for evaluation and quantitative expression of scientific research results. Scientometrics, 86 (1), 155-172.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 155.pdf

Abstract: This paper presents a proposal of CERIF data model extension for evaluation of scientific research results. The data model extension is based on the CERIF semantic layer which enables classification of entities and relations between entities according to some classification scheme. The proposed data model was created using PowerDesigner CASE tool. The model is represented using a physical data model in the conceptual notation that is adopted in literature for representing the CERIF data model. This model is verified using the rule book for evaluation and quantitative expression of scientific research results of researchers employed at University of Novi Sad.

Keywords: Bibliographic Records, Bibliometrics, Cerif, Consequences, Data, Data Model Extension, Evaluation, Evaluation Of Scientific Research Results, Informetrics, Library Circulation System, Literature, Marc 21, Model, Research, Researchers, Science, Scientific Research, Scientometrics, Unimarc, XML Editor

? Bornmann, L. (2011), Mimicry in science? Scientometrics, 86 (1), 173-177.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 173.pdf

Abstract: Since bibliometric indicators have obtained a general acceptance in science policy and attained applied relevance in research evaluation, feedback effects on scientists’ behaviour resulting from the use of these indicators for science funding decisions have been reported. These adaptation strategies could be called mimicry in science. Scientists apply strategies that should enable them to comply to bibliometric accountability and to secure funds to their own research.

Keywords: Adaptation, Bibliometric, Bibliometric Indicators, Evaluation, Impact, Indicators, Mimicry, Publication, Quality, Research, Research Evaluation, Science, Scientific Progress, Spanish Research

? Behrens, H. and Luksch, P. (2011), Mathematics 1868-2008: A bibliometric analysis. Scientometrics, 86 (1), 179-194.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 179.pdf

Abstract: This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of the literature published in the field of mathematics from 1868 to date. The data originate from the Zentralblatt MATH database. The increase rate of publications per year reflects the growth of the mathematics community and both can well be represented by exponential or linear functions, the latter especially after the Second World War. The distribution of publications follows Bradford’s law but in contrast to many other disciplines there is no strong domination of a small number of journals. The productivity of authors follows two inverse power laws of the Lotka form with different parameters, one in the range of low productivity and the other in the range of high productivity. The average productivity has changed only slightly since the year 1870. As far as multiple authorship is concerned the distribution of the number of authors per publication can be described quite well by a Gamma Distribution. The average number of authors per publication has been increasing steadily, while it was close to 1 up to the first quarter of the last century it has now reached a value of 2 in the last few years. This means that the percentage of single-authored papers has fallen from over 95% in the years before 1930 to about 30% today.

Keywords: Analysis, Authorship, Bibliometric, Bibliometric Analysis, Collaboration, Data, Database, Distribution, Field, Growth, Journals, Literature, Mathematics, Number of Authors, Power Laws, Publication, Publications, Science, War

? Kostoff, R.N. and Morse, S.A. (2011), Structure and infrastructure of infectious agent research literature: SARS. Scientometrics, 86 (1), 195-209.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 195.pdf

Abstract: Text mining was used to extract technical intelligence from the open source global SARS research literature. A SARS-focused query was applied to the Science Citation Index (SCI) (SCI 2008) database for the period 1998-early 2008. The SARS research literature infrastructure (prolific authors, key journals/institutions/countries, most cited authors/journals/documents) was obtained using bibliometrics, and the SARS research literature technical structure (hierarchical taxonomy) was obtained using computational linguistics/document clustering.

Keywords: Bibliometrics, Bibliometrics, China, Citation, Citation Analysis, Clustering, Coronavirus, COV, Database, Database Tomography, Discovery LRD, Infectious Diseases, Intelligence, Literature, Research, SARS, SCI, Science, Science Citation Index, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Text Mining

? Sooryamoorthy, R. (2011), Scientific publications of engineers in South Africa, 1975-2005. Scientometrics, 86 (1), 211-226.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 211.pdf

Abstract: In the production of scientific knowledge, as revealed by publication output, South Africa is at the forefront of many other countries in the developing world and in the African continent. This study examines for the first time the publication trends of South African engineering researchers for a period of 30 years since 1975. Drawing data from the ISI Web of Knowledge, this paper specifically looks at the publication patterns of engineering researchers in South Africa.

Keywords: Collaboration, Data, Engineering, ISI, Knowledge, Output, Production, Publication, Publication Trends, Publications, Research Collaboration, Researchers, Science, Scientific Production, South Africa, Trends, Web of Knowledge

? Bosnjak, L., Puljak, L., Vukojevic, K. and Marusic, A. (2011), Analysis of a number and type of publications that editors publish in their own journals: Case study of scholarly journals in Croatia. Scientometrics, 86 (1), 227-233.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 227.pdf

Abstract: To assess the publication practices of editors in their own journals, we analysed the number of articles that Croatian editors published in the journals they edit. From 2005 to 2008, 256 decision-making editors of 180 journals published a total of 887 publications in their own journals. Out of these, 332 were relevant for their academic promotion. Only 18 editors published 5 or more articles in their own journals. A single journal had regulations for self-publishing in the instructions for authors. Although the majority of editors did not misuse their own journals for scientific publishing and academic promotion, there is a need for greater transparency of the declaration and management of editorial conflict of interest in academic and scholarly journals.

Keywords: Academic Promotion, Authors, Conflict of Interest, Croatia, Decision Making, Guidelines for Authors, Instructions, Journal, Journal Editors, Journals, Promotion, Publication, Publications, Publishing, Transparency

? Prathap, G. (2011), The fractional and harmonic p-indices for multiple authorship. Scientometrics, 86 (2), 239-244.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 239.pdf

Abstract: A proposal is made so that the p-index (a composite performance index that can effectively combine size and quality of scientific papers) can be extended for bibliometric research assessment in cases where multiple authorship is taken into account. The fractional and harmonic p-indices are applied to some recent examples to show their usefulness.

Keywords: Assessment, Authorship, Bibliometric, Bibliometric Research, Bibliometrics, Composite, Fractional Counting, h-Index, h-Index, Harmonic Counting, Index, P-Index, Papers, Performance, Quality, Quality of, Quantity, Recent, Research, Research Assessment, Size

? Arbesman, S. (2011), Quantifying the ease of scientific discovery. Scientometrics, 86 (2), 245-250.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 245.pdf

Abstract: It has long been known that scientific output proceeds on an exponential increase, or more properly, a logistic growth curve. The interplay between effort and discovery is clear, and the nature of the functional form has been thought to be due to many changes in the scientific process over time. Here I show a quantitative method for examining the ease of scientific progress, another necessary component in understanding scientific discovery. Using examples from three different scientific disciplines mammalian species, chemical elements, and minor planets I find the ease of discovery to conform to an exponential decay. In addition, I show how the pace of scientific discovery can be best understood as the outcome of both scientific output and ease of discovery. A quantitative study of the ease of scientific discovery in the aggregate, such as done here, has the potential to provide a great deal of insight into both the nature of future discoveries and the technical processes behind discoveries in science.

Keywords: Changes, Chemical, Difficulty, Discovery, Ease, Elements, Growth, Mammals, Mammals, Minor, Minor Planets, Model, Outcome, Potential, Progress, Science, Scientific Output, Scientific Progress, Species, Understanding

? Schultz, D.M. (2011), Rejection rates for multiple-part manuscripts. Scientometrics, 86 (2), 251-259.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 251.pdf

Abstract: Multiple-part manuscripts are those submitted to a journal and intended for publication as a series, usually having “Part 1,” “Part I,” ... “Part N” in the title. Although some journals prohibit such submissions, other journals (including Monthly Weather Review) have no such restrictions. To examine how reviewers and editors view multiple-part manuscripts, 308 multiple-part manuscripts submitted to Monthly Weather Review from May 2001 through February 2010 were examined. For multiple-part manuscripts having reached a final decision, 67% were accepted, which was also the average acceptance rate of all manuscripts (67%). Part I manuscripts submitted alone had a lower acceptance rate (61%) than the average, whereas Part II manuscripts submitted alone had a higher acceptance rate (77%) than the average. Two-part manuscripts submitted together had an acceptance rate (67%) comparable to the average. Typical reviewer comments for Part I manuscripts submitted alone included the manuscript being too long for the available results and the author making claims in Part I that would be supported in the unseen Part II. Typical comments for Part 11 manuscripts submitted alone included the somewhat contradictory statements that material was unnecessarily duplicated in the two manuscripts and more repetition was needed between the two parts. For two-part manuscripts submitted together, reviewers often recommended condensing the two manuscripts and merging them into one. In some cases, editors rejected manuscripts even though no reviewer recommended rejection because the sum of all reviewers’ comments would require substantial reorganization of the manuscripts. The results of this study suggest the following recommendations for authors considering writing multiple-part manuscripts: Write manuscripts that are sensibly independent of each other, make minimal reference to unsubmitted manuscripts, and have sufficient and substantiated scientific content within each manuscript.

Keywords: Acceptance, Authors, Comments, Decision, Editors, Journal, Journals, Merging, Multiple-Part Manuscripts, Publication, Rates, Recommendations, Reference, Rejection, Rejection Rate, Restrictions, Reviewers

? Gupta, B.M., Kshitij, A. and Verma, C. (2011), Mapping of Indian computer science research output, 1999-2008. Scientometrics, 86 (2), 261-283.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 261.pdf

Abstract: The research output of India in computer science during 1999-2008 is analyzed in this paper on several parameters including total research output, its growth, rank and global publication share, citation impact, share of international collaborative papers and major collaborative partner countries and patterns of research communication in most productive journals. It also analyses the characteristics of most productive institutions, authors and high-cited papers. The publications output and impact of India is also compared with China, South Korea, Taiwan and Brazil.

Keywords: Analyses, Authors, Brazil, Characteristics, China, Citation, Communication, Computer Science, Growth, Impact, India, Information Technology, Institutions, International, Journals, Korea, Mapping, Papers, Publication, Publications, Rank, Research, Research Priorities In Computer, Science, Science Research, Taiwan

? Ding, J.D. and Qiu, J.P. (2011), An approach to improve the indicator weights of scientific and technological competitiveness evaluation of Chinese universities. Scientometrics, 86 (2), 285-297.

Full Text: 2011\Scientometrics86, 285.pdf

Abstract: As indicator weights obtaining is often difficult in all types of evaluation, this paper describes an approach to improve the indicator weights of scientific and technological competitiveness evaluation of Chinese universities. As a public institution funded by Chinese government, the research center for Chinese science evaluation of Wuhan University has completed five annual evaluations for the scientific and technological competitiveness of Chinese universities since 2005, whose abundant and reliable data motivated us to try to improve the weights obtained by the AHP (analytical hierarchy process). Based on these data, we calculated the objective weights of the indicator using the representative mathematical methods of the least square and the variation coefficient. As the weights of AHP can be influenced by the knowledge, experience and preference of experts and the calculated objective weights neglect the subjective judgement information, we integrated the subjective and objective weights by respectively using the additive and multiplicative model to reflect both the subjective considerations of experts and the objective information, and obtained three kinds of integrative weights. Finally, we selected the integrative weights of multiplicative model as the best weights by comparing and analyzing the evaluation results in 2005 and 2009 of each kind of weights. The results show that the evaluation effect of the weights of multiplicative model is indeed the best for all types of Chinese universities among these kinds of weights, and the experts and university principals enquired also basically reached a consensus on the university rankings of the integrative weights of multiplicative model.

Keywords: AHP, Approach, Chinese, Consensus, Data, Evaluation, Experience, Experts, Improvement, Indicator, Indicator Weights, Information, Integrative, Journal Evaluation, Knowledge, Management, Mathematical Methods, Methods, Model, Neglect, Performance, Preference, Public, Rankings, Research, Science, Science Evaluation, Taiwan, Universities, University

? Tang, L. and Shapira, P. (2011), Regional development and interregional collaboration in the growth of nanotechnology research in China. Scientometrics,