Personal Research Database

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 401.pdf

Abstract: The interweaving of three different sorts of software based on different algorithms (co-word analysis and downward hierarchical classification) and applied on a file tin the field of risk assessment through the introduction of transgenic plants) extracted from the CAB (Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau) data base, has enable us to provide three types of results: Leximappe provides a synthetic image from clusters of key-words. The main themes were identified. Alceste improves a corpus’ characterization and allows a logical reading of it, thanks to the creation of categories, along with their mutual dependencies, the peculiar meaning of each and their division in time. Moreover, Alceste allows us to perceive the contexts of the contents previously identified under Leximappe. Sampler allows us to go into the derails of the terms association in graphical form and detail the specific orientations of the corpus, especially with the inscription of weak signals. Finally, this software, applied from the categories drawn from Alceste, offers for each category a meaningful graphic representation. We can argue that the different ways of measuring and presenting results are complementary since they highlight different aspects of risk assessment carried by different actors, as it is underlined in social science studies of public controversy. Moreover we can follow these actors through the categories and clusters (socioeconomic, scientific and risk assessment linked to regulation and policy) which are more and more differenciated in time. This methodology allows the study of emerging processes in the social construction of issues within controversies.

Keywords: Algorithms, Analysis, Assessment, Base, Characterization, Classification, Clusters, Co-Word Analysis, Creation, Meaning, Methodology, Perception, Plants, Policy, Regulation, Representation, Risk, Risk Assessment, Science, Science Studies, Social, Software, Synthetic, Tin

? Glänzel, W., Schubert, A. and Czerwon, H.J. (1999), An item-by-item subject classification of papers published in multidisciplinary and general journals using reference analysis. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 427-439.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 427.pdf

Abstract: A serious shortcoming of bibliometric studies based on the (Social) Science(s) Citation Index is the lack of an universally applicable subject classification scheme as individual papers are concerned. Subject classification of papers on the basis of assigning journals to subject categories (like those found in the various supplements of ISI databases) works well in case of highly specialised journals, but fails for multidisciplinary journals such as Nature,Science and PNAS and so far as subfields are taken into consideration - also for ‘general’ journals (e.g. JACS or Angewandte Chemie). This study presents the results of a pilot project attempting to overcome this shortcoming by delimiting the subject of papers published in multidisciplinary and general journals by an item-by-item subject classification scheme, where assignment is based on the analysis of the subject classification of reference literature. The results clearly confirmed the conclusions of earlier studies by the authors in the field of reference analysis. For the really important journals (sufficiently high number of annual publications and high impact with respect to the field), the share of classifiable papers was surprisingly high, and the assignment proved reliable as well. Since papers in the leading general and multidisciplinary journals are frequently citing general and multidisciplinary journals, an iterated application of the procedure is expected to increase the number of classifiable publications. The results of the new methodology may improve the validity of bibliometric studies for research evaluation purposes.

Keywords: Analysis, Bibliometric, Bibliometric Studies, Classification, Databases, Evaluation, General, Impact, ISI, Methodology, Multidisciplinary, PNAS, Publications, Reference, Research, Research Evaluation, Science, Validity

? Gomez, I., Fernandez, M.T. and Sebastian, J. (1999), Analysis of the structure of international scientific cooperation networks through bibliometric indicators. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 441-457.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 441.pdf

Abstract: International scientific cooperation of Latin American countries amongst themselves, with the USA and with the European Union in the period 1991-1995 was studied. The analysis deepens in the differences per subject area and the influence of the regional axis involved. Collaboration patterns differ according to the scientific size of the Latin American countries, the thematic areas and whether a bilateral collaboration or a participation in a multilateral network takes place. Some special characteristics of multi-regional cooperation networks are presented.

Keywords: Analysis, Bibliometric, Bibliometric Indicators, Bilateral, Characteristics, Collaboration, Countries, European Union, Indicators, Participation, Patterns, Regional, Size, Structure, USA

Lange, L.L. and Frensch, P.A. (1999), Gaining scientific recognition by position: Does editorship increase citation rates? Scientometrics, 44 (3), 459-486.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 459.pdf

Abstract: We investigated three rival hypotheses concerning scientific communication and recognition: the performance hypothesis and two alternative assumptions, the reputation hypothesis and the resource hypothesis. The performance hypothesis reflects the norm of universalism in the sense given by Merton, the reputation hypothesis predicts a Matthew Effect (scientists receive communications and recognition on the basis of their reputation), and the resource hypothesis assumes that communication with other scientists is used as a form of asset to defend one’s own research results. Using bibliometric methods, we assessed whether assuming an important scientific position enhances scientific impact and prestige. Specifically, we explored whether a person’s assumption of editorship responsibilities of a psychology journal increases the frequency with which that person is cited in the Social Sciences Citation Index. The data base consisted of ten psychology journals, seven premier American and three German journals, covering the years 1981 to 1995. Citation rates for the years prior to, during, and following periods of editorship were compared for three groups: editors cited in the journal they edited, editors cited in a journal they did not edit, and non-editors. The results showed that during their editorship, editors showed an increased citation rate in the journal edited, this result was found for American journals, but not for German journals. These findings indicate that, for American journals, assuming editorship responsibilities for a major psychology journal increases one’s scientific impact, at least as reflected by a measure of citation rate. A careful examination of ages of the non-editors’ citations reveals that the post-editorship citation rates of editors and comparable non-editors do not differ significantly. The reputation hypothesis (Matthew Effect) is therefore preferred for interpreting the results, because it shows the cumulative nature of prestige-oriented citations. The results contradict the convention of using citation rates as pure performance measures.

Keywords: Alternative, Assumptions, Bibliometric, Bibliometric Methods, Citation, Citations, Communication, Communications, Cumulative, Data, Data Base, Examination, Impact, Journal, Journals, Measure, Methods, Performance, Person, Psychology, Rates, Research, Research Results, Responsibilities, Scientific Communication

? Nederhof, A.J. and Van Vijk, E. (1999), Profiling institutes: Identifying high research performance and social relevance in the social and behavioral sciences. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 487-506.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 487.pdf

Abstract: This study focuses on the identification of high output research and high impact research in the social and behavioral sciences. A second objective is to monitor developments in research that is related to societal needs and problems. For each topic, we identify institutes and authors that have contributed a considerable number of SSCI articles and/or several (relatively) highly cited articles on a topic. To identify papers with a (relatively) high impact, the present study used two citation thresholds, each based upon a combination of a statistically determined minimum number of ‘external’ citations (by others than the authors of a paper), and a statistical comparison with world average citation levels. Topics were categorised according to social relevance. Detailed profiles of bath large and small institutes are obtained, showing strengths and weaknesses in research performance that lend to be obscured by standard indicators focusing on ‘average’ research performance. Socially relevant topics tend to be concentrated in multidisciplinary clusters, whereas clusters dominated by one or two disciplines contain more basic research. The results provide a first insight in the extent to which institutes and authors address socially relevant topics. Use of the results by policy bodies seems dependent upon which organisational level of research they tend to address.

Keywords: Basic Research, Behavioral, Bibliometric Indicators, Books, Citation, Citations, Clusters, Comparison, Countries, Identification, Impact, Indicators, Journals, Lend, Levels, Multidisciplinary, Output, Paper, Performance, Policy, Profiles, Research, Research Performance, Sciences, Social, Standard, Strengths, Thresholds

? Roosendaal, H.E. and Geurts, P.A.T.M. (1999), Scientific communication and its relevance to research policy. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 507-519.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 507.pdf

Abstract: This paper addresses the relation between developments in scientific communication and research. The developments in scientific communication are related to developments brought about by opportunities provided by the development and wide-scale introduction of modern information and communication technology. However, this paper does not focus on technological developments, but rather discusses how these new developments in scientific communication enable developments in research and research policy, and vice versa. The role of scientometrics and bibliometrics in this context is briefly discussed.

Keywords: Bibliometrics, Communication, Development, Information, Information and Communication, Information and Communication Technology, Paper, Policy, Research, Role, Scientific Communication, Scientometrics, Vice

? Rousseau, R. (1999), Temporal differences in self-citation rates of scientific journals. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 521-531.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 521.pdf

Abstract: Temporal differences in self-citing and self-cited rates of journals are studied. It is concluded that the citation curve of a journal is composed of two curves with different characteristics: a self citation (or self-cited) curve and a curve representing external citations.

Keywords: Characteristics, Citation, Citations, Indicators, Information-Science, Journal, Library

Rowlands, I. (1999), Patterns of author cogitation in information policy: Evidence of social, collaborative and cognitive structure. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 533-546.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 533.pdf

Abstract: This paper presents the findings of an author cocitation study in the field of information policy. Cocitation frequencies for 21 leading authors over the period 1972-1997 were obtained from the multidisciplinary database Social Sciences Citation Index. The raw cocitation counts were transformed into a matrix of Pearson correlation profiles and subsequently visualised using multidimensional scaling techniques. An initial interpretation of the structure of the field of information policy was attempted, drawing on a range of non-bibliometric evidence. The results of a customised postal questionnaire to the data subjects themselves supports the present writer’s allocation of the authors into thematic clusters. These results suggest that the social, collaborative and intellectual structure of information policy scholarship are highly convergent.

Keywords: Allocation, Cocitation, Correlation, Data, Database, Evidence, Field, Information, Intellectual Structure, Matrix, Multidimensional, Multidimensional Scaling, Multidisciplinary, Policy, Profiles, Questionnaire, Scaling, Scholarship, Social, Structure, Techniques

? Schwechheimer, H. and Winterhager, M. (1999), Highly dynamic specialities in climate research. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 547-560.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 547.pdf

Abstract: In this paper the identification and analysis of highly dynamic, rapidly developing research fronts of climate research are demonstrated. The underlying method based on co-citation analysis is described, and two selected highly dynamic specialities (HDS) are analysed using journal profiles, co-citation maps, and actor profiles as information elements. The two examples demonstrate how co-citation analysis can be used to identify and analyse highly dynamic specialities.

Keywords: Analysis, Atmosphere, Boundary-Layer, Circulation, Climate, Co-Citation, Co-Citation Analysis, Cocitation, Dynamic, Elements, HDS, Identification, Information, Journal, Model, Natural Variability, Paper, Profiles, Research, Sensitivity, Signals, System, Temperature

? Wouters, P. (1999), Beyond the holy grail: From citation theory to indicator theories. Scientometrics, 44 (3), 561-580.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics44, 561.pdf

Abstract: A recurring theme in the use of science and technology indicators, as well as in the construction of new ones, is the interpretation of these indicators. Given the dependence on citation data in the majority of interesting science and technology indicators, a general citation theory would make the meaning of S&T indicators more transparent. Hence the continuing call for a citation theory in scientometrics. So far, such a theory has not yet been accepted by the experts in the field. This paper suggests an explanation for this. It also tries to sketch the outline of a general indicator theory by discussing new implications of an earlier proposal (Wouters, 1998) in relation to existing citation and indicator theories.

Keywords: Citation, Dependence, General, Indicator, Indicators, Meaning, Paper, Science, Scientometrics, Theory, Transparent

? Molas-Gallart, J. (1999), Measuring defence R&D: A note on problems and shortcomings. Scientometrics, 45 (1), 3-16.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics45, 3.pdf

Abstract: Defence R&D continues to account for a very substantial share of many countries’ research effort, often retaining or even increasing its role within the national innovation systems. Yet the quantitative analysis of defence research efforts and their impact is impaired by difficulties in defining defence R&D. The article studies these difficulties and focuses on the issue of identifying what constitutes, does not constitute, defence R&D. It finds that the OECD approach of defining defence R&D on the basis of the primary goals of the research is inadequate, particularly in the present context of the growing emphasis on dual-use technologies and research. It then analyses alternative approaches that could provide a more solid grounding for any systematic effort to collect international defence R&D data.

Keywords: Analysis, Defence, Impact, Innovation, Quantitative Analysis, Research, Role, Technologies

Lee, M., Om, K. and Koh, J. (1999), Blind review of research proposals in Korea: Its effectiveness and factors affecting applicant detection. Scientometrics, 45 (1), 17-31.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics45, 17.pdf

Abstract: This article addresses the potential effectiveness of blind review in selecting and funding research proposals in a ‘scientifically small’ country. By analyzing 474 responses of the blinded reviewers ever worked for Korea Science and Engineering Fund, it was found that blind review is fairly effective. About two thirds of the blinded reviewers were unable to recognize the applicants accurately The applicant detection was affected by (1) physical age, (2) professional experience, and (3) geographical location of doctoral education of the applicants, (4) review experience, (5) rank of employing universities of the reviewers, and (6) similarity of research interest between an applicant and a reviewer. It was also found that blind review was more strongly advocated by those who had made a wrong guess or who had given up guessing. Implications of the findings and future research directions were discussed.

Keywords: Age, Consensus, Education, Effective, Effectiveness, Funding, Korea, Location, Made, Peer, Physical, Rank, Research, Review, Similarity, Universities

? Huber, J.C. (1999), Inventive productivity and the statistics of exceedances. Scientometrics, 45 (1), 33-53.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics45, 33.pdf

Abstract: We show that inventive productivity can be described by two variables, Frequency and Lifetime. For several samples of inventors, we show that the Exponential and Generalized Pareto distributions provide excellent goodness-of-fit to these variables. Furthermore, good fits to these distributions arises naturally from the statistics of exceedances. Thus, a better theoretical foundation and connection to environmental variables is shown for Frequency and Lifetime than has been shown for Lotka’s Law.

Keywords: Creativity, Cumulative Advantage, Distributions, Environmental, Environmental Variables, Generalized Pareto Distribution, Goodness, Model, Of-Fit Tests, Participation, Precision, Productivity, Publication, Scientific Productivity, Statistics

? Coronini, R. and Mangematin, V. (1999), From individual scientific visibility to collective competencies: The example of an academic department in the social sciences. Scientometrics, 45 (1), 55-80.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics45, 55.pdf

Abstract: The article discusses the role of university departments in the social sciences. It studies how to describe the three missions of university departments: education, research and consultancy services for public and private organisations. It also proposes some tools to evaluate to what extent these missions are connected. Until now, evaluation in this domain has focused primarily on research activities and far too few indicators have been developed for the other two missions. Moreover, evaluation is often performed on an individual basis, so that the synergy generated by work collectives is rarely evaluated. The purpose of this article is to propose a method for identifying and describing the competencies of a social science research and teaching department. This method can be used to study the articulation between the department’s different activities - research, expertise and teaching. Maps of activity are generated, which can serve as a basis for strategic planning of future trends. The approach is based on an analysis of ‘traces’ (articles, contracts, research reports, postgraduate training modules) of the activity of the different components of the Social Science Department, using lexicographic analysis tools. With keywords, titles, summaries and synopses of lectures, it is possible to draw up ‘maps’ representing the department’s main competencies.

Keywords: Academic, Activity, Analysis, Core, Economics, Education, Evaluation, Indicators, Planning, Profile, Research, Role, Science, Science Research, Sciences, Social, Social Sciences, Strategic Planning, Teaching, Tools, Training, Trends, Visibility

Ojasoo, T. and Doré, J.C. (1999), Citation bias in medical journals. Scientometrics, 45 (1), 81-94.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics45, 81.pdf

Abstract: Multivariate statistical analysis of the citation profiles of urology and related journals (i.e. the relative extent to which each journal cites itself and other journals within a set) has highlighted hidden correlations. We reveal the existence of a ‘transatlantic’ rift in citation practice and of a confined discipline-oriented world which interfaces weakly with many other disciplines. We also interpret the results of our analyses in terms of basic and clinical research and examine whether there is a time-related selectivity in citation. Taken together, our results call for a serious appraisal of present-day research trends and of their evaluation. The open question is how to create a terrain that will foster original, possibly interdisciplinary, research in developed nations whilst maintaining cultural individuality.

Keywords: Analysis, Bias, Citation, Clinical, Correlations, Evaluation, Interdisciplinary, Interfaces, Journal, Medical, Medical Journals, Practice, Profiles, Publication, Research, Research Trends, Selectivity, Statistical Analysis, Trends, Urology

Pereira, J.C.R. and Escuder, M.M.L. (1999), The scenario of Brazilian health sciences in the period of 1981 to 1995. Scientometrics, 45 (1), 95-105.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics45, 95.pdf

Abstract: Ensuing a previous study of Brazilian sciences production for the period 1981-95, health sciences were taken apart for scrutiny. ISI data was obtained in an aggregate format comprising 40 health research fields recording their yearly number of papers, proportion out of the country, proportion out of the field, and impact relative to field.

Simple linear regression was used to examine time trends in production and impact of research fields. A complementary variable representing growth trend was computed as the regression slope. Data were then analysed by means of Factor and Correspondence Analysis. Results allowed the production of location maps of research fields so that hierarchy and relationships among them could be examined in the form of geometric distances.

It was found that health sciences represent 42% of the Brazilian scientific production and that their trends in both production and impact do not differ from other sciences taken altogether. Measurements of production were found negatively correlated with impact and factor analysis revealed that the major distinction between fields is attributable to production (64% of measurement variations against 19% due to impact). Experimental Biology & Medicine largely exceeds other fields in production, though at ordinary levels of impact. Correspondence analysis refined the study of impact allowing the identification of the best performers as Clinical Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Environmental & Social Medicine, and Radiology & Nuclear Medicine.

The information provided can advise national policy makers on science & technology about priorities concerning the improvement of the country’s competitiveness.

Keywords: Aggregate, Analysis, Factor Analysis, Growth, Health, Health Sciences, Identification, Impact, Information, ISI, Levels, Linear, Linear Regression, Location, Measurement, Policy, Production, Profile, Regression, Research, Science, Sciences, Scientific Production, Time Trends, Trend, Trends

Karki, M.M.S. and Garg, K.C. (1999), Scientometrics of Indian organic chemistry research. Scientometrics, 45 (1), 107-116.

Full Text: 1999\Scientometrics45, 107.pdf

Abstract: Making use of scientometric techniques, the paper attempts to assess the performance of Indian organic chemistry research during the 70s and 80s. Identifies the significant work and its impact using mainstream connectivity, surrogate measures of quality and relative impact indicators. It is observed that the organic chemistry research performed in India during the later period (80s) has improved slightly as compared to the previous period (70s).

Keywords: Basic Research, Bibliometrics, Connectivity, Impact, India, Indicators, Organic, Organic Chemistry, Paper, Performance, Quality, Research, Research Performance, Techniques

Phelan, T.J. (1999), A compendium of issues for citation analysis. Scientometrics,