Personal Research Database

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 45.pdf

Abstract: It is shown that in natural sciences, interdependences between variables are determined regardless of the distributions of variable values, whereas in science studies, distributions should be used as a starting point. This difference is due the nature of measuring instruments: in natural sciences, measurements are performed with the use of devices, while science of science uses “human devices” adapting themselves to the measured objects. Practical inferences are drawn.

? Korennoi, A.A. (1989), Information co-modeling of a network of research institutions. Scientometrics, 15 (1-2), 59-71.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 59.pdf

Abstract: A method of measuring the communication in a network of research institutions is presented. The method is based on the determination of the subject similarity of research reports. The requests of the users are taken into account. The hierarchic cluster analysis of communication in the network is fulfilled on the base of the fuzzy binary relations of similarity between objects.

? Malciene, L. (1989), Scientometric analysis of a scientific school. Scientometrics, 15 (1-2), 73-85.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 73.pdf

Abstract: A procedure including scientometric methods combined with other techniques is described. This allows to define the membership and structure of a scientific school and to trace the dynamics of its development. Formation and evolution of a scientific school is presented as a purposeful scientific-information process involving changes in the nature and dynamics of the types of information links.

? Mokhov, O.I. (1989), About statistics of the extreme values and the rank form of scientometric distributions. Scientometrics, 15 (1-2), 87-96.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 87.pdf

Abstract: The relation between the frequency and rank forms and the connection of the parameters of the corresponding model scientometric distributions is discussed. Besides, while using the probabilistic interpretation of the data which are presented as a sample, from a model population, the behaviour of the extreme values is examined. For example, the median .mu. of the distribution of the maximal values for the samples of the size N from the Zipf-Pareto distribution, which is typical for social phenomena, increases fate than the sample size N if a < 1: .apprx. const. Nl/.alpha.. the knowledge of the asymptotical behaviour of the characteristics of the extreme values is necessary for the adequate modelling in scientometrics.

? Motylev, V.M. (1989), The main problems of studying literature aging. Scientometrics, 15 (1-2), 97-109.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 97.pdf

Abstract: Aging is otte of the properties of scientific and technical literature. The knowledge of the laws of aging is very important in the science of science, information science and library science. Methodological errors in studying the aging process cause wrong results. By means of non-traditional processing of well-known empiric data the author refutes such genr accepted ideas as the idea of very rapid aging of literature, the idea of more rapid aging of publications on rapidly developing fields of knowledge, the idea of the maximum of book use being only in a few years after its publication, and some other ideas.

? Orlov, S.V. and Vasiljev, A.N. (1989), Possible treatment of the Bonitz-Gross effect. Scientometrics, 15 (1-2), 111-126.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 111.pdf

Abstract: We suggest some theoretical considerations concerning patastatistieal distribution of rife number of journals by the number of attieles which they contain (structural units). Our experiments agree with the theoretical conclusions with accuracy up to 0.31%, and with Price’s experiments - with accuracy of 0.7%.

The qualitive agreement of the theoretical model suggested is shown with Bonitz’s experiments. The agreement of the theory and the experiment is discussed and it is shown that the model suggested describes the Groos effect, i. e. it introduces a correction to the Bradford law.

Keywords: Treatment

? Sharabchiev, J.T. (1989), Cluster-analysis of bibliographic references as a scientometric method. Scientometrics, 15 (1-2), 127-137.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 127.pdf

Abstract: Possible applications of cluster analysis of bibliographic references as a scientometric method are studied. It is shown that cluster analysis, made by means of bibliographic coupling by Kessler and co-citation by Marshakova-Small present comparable results. “Science maps” on immunological topics are made. Particularly for historico-scientific studies it is useful to make clusters in rectangular coordinates taking into account the value of citing the document and the year of its publication. It is observed that at the junction points of sciences there is an almost twofold deceleration of the processes of application and spreading of knowledge. It is stated that the problem of “information explosion” does not exist on the level of new ideas, the number of which is less than 0.1% of the total volume of the published information flow 40% of which is formed by “information noise”.

? Doroshenko, S.I. and Haitun, S.D. (1989), Quantitative studies of science: A bibliography of soviet publications. Scientometrics, 15 (1-2), 139-154.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 139.pdf

? Kostyuk, V. and Schreider, J. (1989), Mathematical models in science studies - Yablonsky, AI. Scientometrics, 15 (1-2), 155-157.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 155.pdf

? Braun, T., Glänzel, W. and Schubert, A. (1989), Assessing assessments of British science some fact and figures to accept or decline. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 165-170.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 165.pdf

Notes: MModel, CCountry

? Gupta, D.K. (1989), Scientometric study of biochemical literature of Nigeria, 1970-1984 - application of Lotka’s law and the 80/20-rule. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 171-179.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 171.pdf

Abstract: A bibliography of biochemical literature of Nigeria for the period, 1970-1984 containing a total of 500 items, was analysed to test the applicability of Lotka’s law and 80/20-rule to the author productivity distribution patterns. Four different f’des were created out of the data on author productivity: one for the publication of all the authors, second for the publications by ttrst authors only, third for single authors and fourth for the contributions of only coauthors. Lotka’s law could apply in all the four cases with different values of ~. The Kolmogorov- Smirnov testi~ was applied to test the applicability of Lotka’s law at 0.01 level of significance. Egghe’s theory and formula were used to test 80/20-rule and it was found that the rule did not apply to any of the four data sets.

Keywords: Nigeria

? Purica, I.I. (1989), Creativity and the socio-cultural niche. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 181-187.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 181.pdf

Abstract: The socio-cultural dimensions of the creative act is analysed by a mathematical model considering that the creative act is a mimes mutation as a result of an accumulation of evidences. So the mimes complex of a socio-cultural niche is changed explosively if given conditions, which are mathematically determined, are accomplished. The equation determining the sociocultural dimensions of creativity is established and its solutions are discussed.

? Lindsey, D. (1989), Using citation counts as a measure of quality in science - measuring whats measurable rather than whats valid. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 189-203.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 189.pdf

Abstract: Empirical work in the social studies of science has progressed rapidly with the availability and development of the citation indexes. Citation counts have become a widely accepted measure of the quality of a scientific contribution. However, there are several problems involved in the use of citation counts as a measure of quality in science. First, citation counts are sensitive to popular trends in science. In this sense, they approximate a Nielsen rating for science. Second, the distribution of citations restricts their utility to separating the extremes. Third, citation counts are not sensitive to the ethical and moral dimensions of the quality of a scientific contribution. Fourth, citation counts underestimate the contribution of applied scientists. This paper examines these limitations.

Notes: MModel

Kyvik, S. (1989), Productivity differences, fields of learning, and Lotka’s law. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 205-214.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 205.pdf

Abstract: The paper examines whether productivity differences among individual researchers are larger in some fields of learning than in others. Productivity patterns in the natural sciences, the medical sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities are compared by the use of unweighted and weighted publication counts. Irrespective of whether total number of publications or a refined indicator taking account of type of publication and multiple authorship are used, there are no essential differences in publishing inequality between the various fields. About 20% of the tenured faculty at Norwegian universities produce 50% of the total output, and the most prolific half of the researchers account for almost 85% of the Output. The results are discussed in relation to Lotka’s law.

? Davis, C.H. and Eisemon, T.O. (1989), Mainstream and non mainstream scientific literature in four peripheral Asian scientific communities. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 215-239.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 215.pdf

Abstract: This paper describes the mainstream scientific output of the scientific communities of four newly industrializing Asian countries (Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan) and considers its adequacy for describing local scientific activities in biochemistry, biology, physics, electrical engineering, and computer science. An examination of non mainstream scientific literature in these specialties shows that a high proportion of non mainstream authors also publish in mainstream literature. Data concerning degree of parochialism, age of references and use of vernacular literature are examined. The paper argues that it is misleading to characterize these peripheral scientific communities as principally stratified in function of local scientists’ participation in mainstream science.

? Kidd, J.S. (1989), The popularization of science II. Patterns of topical coverage. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 241-255.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 241.pdf

Abstract: Topical coverage by major scientific discipline on the part of six popular monthly magazines is compared to expected values based on the number of doctoral graduates per discipline. A major discrepancy is found in the relatively sparse coverage of chemistry. A case study of advances in catalysis is used to demonstrate that there are newsworthy developments in chemistry that could provide copious source materials. Speculative explanations for the relatively scant attention given to chemistry are advanced. The neglect of chemistry by the popular media is seen as a possible problem area for science educators who may depend on supplementary readings at all levels of instruction including informal adult education.

? Rice, R.E., Borgman, C.L., Bednarski, D. and Hart, P.J. (1989), Journal to journal citation data issues of validity and reliability. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 257-282.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 257.pdf

Abstract: Citation analysis is a useful method for studying a wide range of topics in bibliometrics and the sociology of science. However, many challenges have been made to the validity and reliability of the underlying assumptions, the data, and the methods used in citation studies. This article addresses these issues in three parts. First is a brief review of validity and reliability issues in citation research. Next we explore measurement error in a principal source of journal-to-journal citation data, the Institute for Scientific Information’s Journal Citation Reports. Possible sources of measurement error include discrepancies between citing and cited data, changed or deleted journal titles, aberrant abbreviations, and listing algorithms. The last section is a detailed description of ways to overcome some of the measurement errors. The data and examples are drawn from a journal-to-journal citation study in the fields of Communication, Information Science, and Library Science.

? Tijssen, R.J.W. and Vanraan, A.F.J. (1989), Mapping co-word structures: A comparison of multidimensional-scaling and Leximappe. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 283-295.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 283.pdf

Abstract: The LEXIMAPPE method and Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) are discussed as methods to visualize (‘map’) characteristics of structures of word-occurrence (‘co-word’) relations. Utilization of MDS is proposed as an alternative mapping method able to circumvent problematic features of LEXIMAPPE maps of the total co-word structure. A comparison of both methods on the same ‘real-life’ co-word matrix demonstrates topological advantages of an extended MDS-mapping.

? Yamazaki, S. (1989), Referee systems of English-language scientific journals in Japan. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 297-303.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 297.pdf

Abstract: The purpose of this survey is to review the present situation of the referee systems of 55 English-language scientific journals in Japan, and to evaluate their quality and international readership of those journals. Based on this survey, the author discusses some editorial efforts Which may promote the greater use worldwide.

Keywords: Japan

? Rousseau, R. (1989), Merging data sets. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 305-308.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 305.pdf

Abstract: We give an upper and a lower bound for the. slope, on a semi logarithmic scale, of the cumulative graph of a data set, such as a bibfiography, originating from the disjoint merging of two similar data sets.

? Han, H.C. (1989), Linear increase law of optimum age of scientific creativity. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 309-312.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 309.pdf

Abstract: A linear increase law of optimum age of scientific creativity is proposed. The author has analysed the optimum age of major scientific discoveries (or inventions) by the least square method and an increase ratio has been obtained. The optimum age and the age of great fame in next half century are foreast also.

? Yaalon, D.H. (1989), Scientific strategies and development: Soil science of the tropics - French - Chatelin, Y, Arvanitis, R. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 313-314.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 313.pdf

? Tague, J. (1989), Scientific Journals - Issues for library selection and management - Stankus, T. Scientometrics, 15 (3-4), 314-315.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 313.pdf

? Braun, T., Glänzel, W. and Schubert, A. (1989), World flash on basic research: Some data on the distribution of journal publication types in the Science Citation Index database. Scientometrics, 15 (5-6), 325-330.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 325.pdf

Keywords: Science Citation Index

? Leydesdorff, L. (1989), The relations between qualitative theory and scientometric methods in science and technology studies: Introduction to the topical issue. Scientometrics, 15 (5-6), 333-347.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 333.pdf

Abstract: This issue of Scientometrics originated from a Workshop of the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (EASST). In this introduction the relations between qualitative theory and the use of scientometric methods is placed in the historical perspective of the emergence of science and technology studies over the last decades. The differences among various theories in terms of dimensions, units of analysis and levels of aggregation are elaborated. Thereafter, the various contributions to the issue are discussed within this framework.

? Luukkonen, T. (1989), Publish in a visible journal or perish: Assessing citation performance of Nordic cancer-research. Scientometrics, 15 (5-6), 349-367.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 349.pdf

Abstract: This paper deals with three types of questions concerning the application of citation analysis. First, it studies the use of citation analysis for assessing national research performance in a research subfield, second, it discusses methodological problems related to the definition of research subfields and to data acquisition, and third, as the data concern four Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, attention will be devoted to special problems arising from the application of citation analysis to relatively small countries. These problems are of both methodological and interpretative character.

? Irvine, J. and Martin, B.R. (1989), International comparisons of scientific performance revisited. Scientometrics, 15 (5-6), 369-392.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 369.pdf

Abstract: This paper presents a methodological analysis of the latest update of the CHI/NSF Science Literature Indicators Data-Base. The data-base contains a range of publication and citation indicators broken down by country and field or subfield, and now covers the period from 1973 to 1984. It can be used to draw comparisons of the changing output and impact of basic research in different countries. Earlier applications of the data-base have been constrained by various technical limitations, and have been subject to certain criticism. In this article, after some conceptual analysis of what aspects of scientific performance the different indicators relate to, we show that much of the criticism is misplaced. We also describe subsequent methodological improvements to the indicators and the effect these have on the policy use that can be made. Finally, we examine what the latest statistics reveal about the relative international standing of seven leading scientific nations.

Arunachalam, S. and Manorama, K. (1989), Are citation-based quantitative techniques adequate for measuring science on the periphery? Scientometrics, 15 (5-6), 393-408.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 393.pdf

Abstract: The inadequacies of citation analysis-based quatitative techniques in the context of developing countries owe their origins to the rather small size of most peripheral country scientific enterprises, the poor coverage of Third World journals in bibliographic databases, (and in particular SCI), the cognitive limitations of citation analysis pointed out by microsociologists, and the non-normative nature of the scientific enterprise in these countries. Much of peripheral science is derivative and imitative of science done in the centre, rather than ‘original’ or ‘path-breaking’, and there is hardly any indigenous ‘scientific community’. And yet, citation analysis-based quantitative measures can be applied to characterise different aspects of peripheral science. These techniques assume great importance, especially in view of the massive inadequacies of the peer review process prevailing in these countries. The application of such citation-based quantification to units Of different levels of aggregation such as a journal, an institution and a country as a whole has been demonstrated taking India as the example. Our results show that levels of funding have no correlation with the quality or international citation impact of the literature output resulting from a project. Almost all Indian journals have a very low impact on world literature, and the relatively better performance of Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy (and Indian astronomical research in general) owes it to favourable factors, both social and cognitive.

? Groenewegen, P. (1989), Influences of local and organizational-factors on output indicators. Scientometrics, 15 (5-6), 409-422.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 409.pdf

Abstract: Publication and citation indicators of groups are thought to enhance the quality and legitimacy of science policy decisions. While these indicators might be of value from a policy point of view, the relation between these cumulative data and the local circumstances that influence the development of scientific knowledge has not been explored extensively. In this paper it is argued that publication and citation patterns related to research units are influenced by local circumstances. Toxicology is chosen as an example because it is directed at solving social problems and relates to local practices. In this paper, output indicatiors of Dutch toxicological research units are related to qualitative information on the strategies of these units, it can be shown that the variation in output and citation indicators can be explained in terms of local variations in context. Such variations in local organizational settings should caution against the application of scientometric studies to measure impact as an indicator of scientific quality.

? Nederhof, A.J., Zwaan, R.A., Debruin, R.E. and Dekker, P.J. (1989), Assessing the usefulness of bibliometric indicators for the humanities and the social and behavioral-sciences: A comparative-study. Scientometrics, 15 (5-6), 423-435.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 423.pdf

Abstract: An evaluation was made of the use of bibliometric indicators for five disciplines in the humanities (social history, general linguistics, general literature, Dutch literature, and Dutch language) and three disciplines in the social and behavioural sciences (experimental psychology, anthropology, and public administration) in the Netherlands. Articles in journals were the predominant outlet in all disciplines. Monographs and popularizing articles were more important outlets in ‘softer’ fields than in ‘harder’ ones. The enlightenment function of scholarship was especially evident in Dutch literature and language, and public administration. Only some of the humanities disciplines are locally oriented. Although many publications were written in English, only experimental psychology, general linguistics, anthropology, and general literature were internationally oriented regarding output media. The impact of departments differed greatly both within and between disciplines. For all disciplines, bibliometric indicators are potentially useful for monitoring international impact, as expert interviews confirmed. Especially in Dutch language, Dutch literature and public administration, ISI-citation data are not very useful for monitoring national impact.

? Cozzens, S.E. (1989), What do citations count? The Rhetoric first model. Scientometrics, 15 (5-6), 437-447.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 437.pdf

Abstract: Because of the widespread use of citations in evaluation, we tend to think of them primarily as a form of colleague recognition. This interpretation neglects rhetorical factors that shape patterns of citations. After reviewing sociological theories of citation, this paper argues that we should think of citations first as rhetoric and second as reward. Some implications of this view for quantitative modeling of the citation process are drawn.

Amsterdamska, O. and Leydesdorff, L. (1989), Citations: Indicators of significance? Scientometrics, 15 (5-6), 449-471.

Full Text: 1989\Scientometrics15, 449.pdf

Abstract: What makes a scientific article significant? This paper - part of a larger study which will examine how various kinds of significance carl be related to one another in a coherent theoretical framework - focusses on the processes by which new knowledge claims are being integrated into the cognitive structure when they are cited in other papers, Citations appear both as “threads” linking the eiting papers to the existing literature in the field, and as elements fulfilling specific functions within the arguments made in-,these papers. We have found that (1) it is misleading to equate every article with a single knowledge claim, let alone with an attempt to construct “a fact”, (2) even when the same “sentence” is cited repeatedly, it can be put to quite different uses in the citing papers, and (3) the process of codification of scientific knowledge, through the use of references appears to be far more complex and multi-dimensional than citation context analyses focussing on the use and the gradual disappearance of modalities would lead us to believe. Some consequences for the use use of citation analysis to reconstruct cognitive structures will be discussed.

? Moed, H.F. (1989), Bibliometric measurement of research performance and Price’s theory of differences among the sciences. Scientometrics,