Showing papers on "Scientometrics published in 2001"

The Literature of Bibliometrics, Scientometrics, and Informetrics

Abstract: Since Vassily V. Nalimov coined the term ‘scientometrics’ in the 1960s, this term has grown in popularity and is used to describe the study of science: growth, structure, interrelationships and productivity. Scientometrics is related to and has overlapping interests with bibliometrics and informetrics. The terms bibliometrics, scientometrics, and informetrics refer to component fields related to the study of the dynamics of disciplines as reflected in the production of their literature. Areas of study range from charting changes in the output of a scholarly field through time and across countries, to the library collection problem of maintaining control of the output, and to the low publication productivity of most researchers. These terms are used to describe similar and overlapping methodologies. The origins and historical survey of the development of each of these terms are presented. Profiles of the usage of each of these terms over time are presented, using an appropriate subject category of databases on the DIALOG information service. Various definitions of each of the terms are provided from an examination of the literature. The size of the overall literature of these fields is determined and the growth and stabilisation of both the dissertation and non-dissertation literature are shown. A listing of the top journals in the three fields are given, as well as a list of the major reviews and bibliographies that have been published over the years.

Scholarly publishing in the Internet age: a citation analysis of computer science literature

Abstract: The Web is revolutionizing the entire scholarly communication process and changing the way that researchers exchange information. In this paper, we analyze two views of information production and use in computer-related research based on citation analysis of PDF and Postcript formatted publications on the Web using autonomous citation indexing (ACI), and a parallel citation analysis of the journal literature indexed by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) in SCISEARCH. Our goal is to establish a baseline profile of computer science “literature” as it appears in the published journals and as it appears on the publicly available Web. From this starting point, we hope to identify additional research areas dealing with information dissemination and citation practices in computer science and the utility of autonomous citation indexing on the Web as an adjunct to commercial indexing

The Challenge of Scientometrics: The Development, Measurement, and Self-Organization of Scientific Communications, pp. 1-25

Abstract: Scientometrics--the quantitative study of scientific communication--challenges science and technology studies by demonstrating that organized knowledge production and control is amenable to measurement. First, the various dimensions of the empirical study of the sciences are clarified in a methodological analysis of theoretical traditions, including the sociology of scientific knowledge and neo-conventionalism in the philosophy of science. Second, the author argues why the mathematical theory of communication enables us to address crucial problems in science and technology studies, both on the qualitative side (e.g., the significance of a reconstruction) and on the quantitative side (e.g., the prediction of indicators). A comprehensive set of probabilistic entropy measures for studying complex developments in networks is elaborated. In the third part of the study, applications to S&T policy questions (e.g., the emergence of a European R&D system), to problems of (Bayesian) knowledge representations, and to the study of the sciences in terms of 'self-organizing' paradigms of scientific communication are provided. A discussion of directions for further research concludes the study.

Two decades of 'Scientometrics' : an interdisciplinary field represented by its leading journal

Abstract: The development of the field of bibliometric and scientometric research is analysed byquantitative methods to answer the following questions: (1) Is bibliometrics evolving from a softscience field towards rather hard (social) sciences (Schubert-Maczelka hypothesis)? (2) Canbibliometrics be characterised as a social science field with stable characteristics(Wouters-Leydesdorff hypothesis)? (3) Is bibliometrics a heterogeneous field, the sub-disciplinesof which have their own characteristics? Are these sub-disciplines more and more consolidating,and are predominant sub-disciplines impressing their own characteristics upon the whole field(Glanzel-Schoepflin hypothesis)? The Price Index per paper, the percentage of references toserials, the mean references age, and the mean reference rate are calculated based on all articlesand their respective references in Scientometrics in 1980, 1989, and 1997. The articles areclassified in six categories. The findings suggest, that the field is in fact heterogeneous, and eachsub-discipline has its own characteristics. While the contribution of these sub-disciplines inScientometrics was still well-balanced in 1980, papers dealing with case studies and methodologybecame dominant by 1997.

Competition amongst scientists for publication status: Toward a model of scientific publication and citation distributions

Abstract: We present a model in which scientists compete with each other in order to acquire status fortheir publications in a two-step-process: first, to get their work published in better journals, andsecond, to get this work cited in these journals. On the basis of two Maxwell-Boltzmann typedistribution functions of source publications we derive a distribution function of citingpublications over source publications. This distribution function corresponds very well to theempirical data. In contrast to all observations so far, we conclude that this distribution of citationsover publications, which is a crucial phenomenon in scientometrics, is not a power law, but amodified Bessel-function.

Cientometria: a métrica da ciência

Abstract: Scientometrics is defined as the study of the measurement and quantification of scientific and technological progress and much the research is bibliometric in nature. Scientometric has a wide potential applicability. Government and research institutions have expressed interest in applying this knowledge of scientific growth to the management of science.. Ultimately, scientometrics may be used to help nations make decisions on what areas of research need funding. The citation analyses have become an increasingly significant source of information for historians, sociologists, and other researchers studying the evolution of science. This article focuses on how citation indexes make it possible to trace the background and development of discoveries as well as to assess the credit that publishing scientists assign to particular discoverers. This kind of analysis complements the opinions and judgments of experts (peer review), thus providing objective and useful tools for evaluating the results of scientific activity.

Integrating Scientometric Indicators into Sociological Studies: Methodical and Methodological Problems

Abstract: This article discusses the methodological problems of integrating scientometric methods into a qualitative study. Integrative attempts of this kind are poorly supported by the methodologies of both the sociology of science and scientometrics. Therefore it was necessary to develop a project-specific methodological approach that linked scientometric methods to theoretical considerations. The methodological approach is presented and used to discuss general methodological problems concerning the relation between (qualitative) theory and scientometric methods. This discussion enables some conclusions to be drawn as to the relations that exist between scientometrics and the sociology of science.

Competition in science and the Matthew core journals

Abstract: Competition is one of the most essential features of science. A new journal indicator - the"number of Matthew citations in a journal" was found that reflects certain aspects of thiscompetition. The indicator mirrors the competition of countries in scientific journals forrecognition in terms of seemingly "redistributed" citations.The indicator shows, as do other journal indicators, an extreme skewed distribution over anensemble of 2712 SCI journals. Half of all Matthew citations are contained in 144 so-calledMatthew core journals.In this paper, a new typology of scientific journals, including the Matthew core journals, isintroduced. For a few selected journals, graphs are presented showing national impact factors aswell as the absolute number of Matthew citations gained or lost by the countries publishing in thejournal.Scientific competition among countries for recognition is strongest in the Matthew corejournals, they are the most competitive markets for scientific publications. Conclusions are ...

Papel de la informetría y de la cienciometría y su perspectiva nacional e internacional

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the role of informetrics and scientometrics in the national and international perspective, noting their uses and practices. Beginning with some definitions of bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics, this paper discusses the role of science as a social process aiming at identifying the limitations of science indicators.

An attempt for defining some basic categories of scientometrics and classifying the indicators of evaluative scientometrics

Abstract: L'article est une contribution a l'elaboration d'un manuel de bonne pratique scientometrique, visant a la normalisation des methodes et des indicateurs dans le domaine. Il propose la definition de quelques categories d'indicateurs de base en scientometrie.

History, philosophy and sociology of science in science education: Results from the third international mathematics and science study

Abstract: Throughout the history of enhancing the public scientific literacy, researchers have postulated that since every citizen is expected to have informal opinions on the relationships among government, education, and issues of scientific research and development, it is imperative that appreciation of the past complexities of science and society and the nature of scientific knowledge be a part of the education of both scientists and non-scientists. HPSS inclusion has been found to be an effective way to reach the goal of enhancing science literacy for all citizens. Although reports stated that HPSS inclusion is not a new educational practice in other part of the world, nevertheless, no large scale study has ever been attempted to report the HPSS educational conditions around the world. This study utilizes the rich data collected by TIMSS to unveil the current conditions of HPSS in the science education of about forty TIMSS countries. Based on the analysis results, recommendations to science educators of the world are provided.

The history of industrial research laboratories as a resource for teaching about science-technology relationships

Abstract: The history of industrial research laboratories offers a good opportunity for studying the complex relationships between science and technology. A good insight of these relationships is relevant for shaping a good concept of science and technology in science education and technology education. In the article, three different interaction patterns are derived from the history of industrial research laboratories (in particular the Philips Natuurkundig Laboratorium), namely (1) science as an enabler for technology, (2) science as a forerunner of technology and (3) science as a knowledge resource for technology. In science education and technology education these insights can be used for historical projects and for a use in design-and-make projects.

Application of statistical physics methods and conceptsto the study of science & technology systems

Abstract: We apply methods and concepts of statistical physics to the study of science & technology(S&T) systems. Specifically, our research is motivated by two concepts of fundamentalimportance in modern statistical physics: scaling and universality. We try to identify robust,universal, characteristics of the evolution of S&T systems that can provide guidance to forecastingthe impact of changes in funding. We quantify the production of research in a novel fashioninspired by our previous study of the growth dynamics of business firms. We study the productionof research from the point of view both of inputs (R&D funding) and of outputs (publications andpatents) and find the existence of scaling laws describing the growth of these quantities.We also analyze R&D systems of different countries to test the "universality" of our results.We hypothesize that the proposed methods may be particularly useful for fields of S&T (or forlevels of aggregation) for which either not enough information is available, or for which evolutionis so fast that there is not enough time to collect enough data to make an informed decision.

Age Structures of Scientific Collaboration in Chinese Computer Science

Abstract: This paper is a scientometric study of the age structure of scientific collaboration in Chinese computer science. Analysis reveals some special age structures in scientific collaboration in Chinese computer science. Most collaborations are composed of scientists younger than thirty-six (Younger) or older than fifty (Elder). For two-dimensional collaboration formed by first and second authors, Younger-Elder and Younger-Younger are the predominant age structures. For three-dimensional collaboration formed by first, second and third authors, Younger-Younger-Elder and Younger-Younger-Younger are the most important age structures. Collaboration between two authors older than 38 amounts to only 6.4 percent of all two-person collaborations. Collaboration between two middle-aged scientists is seldom seen. Why do such types of age structure in Chinese computer science exist? We suggest a tentative explanation based on analyses of the age composition of all authors, the age distributions of the authors in different ranks, and the name-ordering of authors in articles written by professors and their students.

International Co-operation in Science and in Social Sciences as Reflected in Multinational Papers Indexed in SCI and SSCI

Abstract: The paper presents a comparative analysis of publications, co-authored by Polish and foreign researchers, selected from seven annual files ofScience Citation Index and Social Sciences Citation Index (CD-ROM Editions 1992–1998). Information obtained from SCI and SSCI were elaborated, completed, coded and entered in two “international files” designed for analytical purposes. It was found that the number of internationally co-authored papers was many times higher (18982 records) in science than in social sciences (342 records). The share of these “international papers” in the “Polish files” increased in the time under review, but for those derived from SCI was also higher (39.1 – 46.0%) than in case of SSCI (22.4 – 37.0%). Results of the analysis include countries of foreign partners and affiliation of domestic co-authors, as well as, subject structure of both international files. Observed differences in the scale of international co-operation in science and in social sciences are being the matter under discussion.

Is It Possible to Measure Science? V. V. Nalimov's Research in Scientometrics

Abstract: This article is devoted to the scientometric research of Professor V.V. Nalimov (1910–1997) of Moscow State University. His first scientometric article was published in 1959: mathematical models of world science growth were examined and logical grounds for the applicability of these models were also given. In his further works, V.V. Nalimov continued to stress the importance of quantitative studies of science development. In 1969, the monograph on scientometrics by V. V. Nalimov and his co-author Z. M. Mulchenko was published. This book reflected his earlier publications on scientometrics and the solutions of new tasks. In 1970, Nalimov published articles on the comparison of science and the biosphere, the geographic distribution of scientific information, and changes in the demand of scientific staff. In later articles in philosophy of science, he stressed the necessity of a combination of the scientometric approach with works on the logic of science development. One of the latest works by Nalimov was an analysis of articles published by The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology: Here the scientometric approach was used to study the origin and development of a new scientific branch.

Scientometrics: The Research Field and its Journal

Abstract: After a brief overview of the aims, methods and directions of scientometrics, the research field, a quantitative introduction of its leading journal, Scientometrics is given. Statistical characteristics of its authors, co-authors, references and citations are used to reveal the structure and dynamics of the research community and the intellectual environment of the field. An outlook to the expected future challenges concludes the review.

Scientific cycle model with delay

Abstract: In this paper we analyse the growth in scientific results of natural sciences in terms of infinite dynamical system theory. We use functional differential equations to model the evolution of science in its sociological aspect. Our model includes the time-to-build of fundamental notions in science (time required to understand them). We show that the delay parameter describing time required to learn and to apply past scientific results to new discoveries plays a crucial role in generating cyclic behaviour via the Hopf bifurcation scenario. Our model extends the de Solla Price model by including death of results as well as by incorporating the time-to-build notion. We also discuss the concepts of knowledge and its accumulation used in economic growth theory.

The challenge of scientometrics: The development, measurement, and self-organization of scientific communications (2nd edition).

Abstract: Scientometrics--the quantitative study of scientific communication--challenges science and technology studies by demonstrating that organized knowledge production and control is amenable to measurement. First, the various dimensions of the empirical study of the sciences are clarified in a methodological analysis of theoretical traditions, including the sociology of scientific knowledge and neo-conventionalism in the philosophy of science. Second, the author argues why the mathematical theory of communication enables us to address crucial problems in science and technology studies, both on the qualitative side (e.g., the significance of a reconstruction) and on the quantitative side (e.g., the prediction of indicators). A comprehensive set of probabilistic entropy measures for studying complex developments in networks is elaborated. In the third part of the study, applications to S&T policy questions (e.g., the emergence of a European R&D system), to problems of (Bayesian) knowledge representations, and to the study of the sciences in terms of 'self-organizing' paradigms of scientific communication are provided. A discussion of directions for further research concludes the study.

Mediated Communication and the Evolving Science System

Abstract: "Mediated Communication and the Evolving Science System: Mapping the Network Architecture of Knowledge Production" The advent of electronic media into the academic environment has forever changed the way that academics communicate, perform their research, and contribute to the production of knowledge. To address this problematic a range of distinct theoretical literatures were reviewed, drawing from both symbolic and modelling approaches; each of these addressed the complexities between media difference and their implied modes of knowledge production. The central arguments were then integrated with a variety of metric approaches to mapping human communication from the fields of Science & Technology Studies and Communication Science. Medium Theory was reviewed to provide the theoretical grounding of the research project. Structuralism, Poststructuralism, and Structuration Theory were reviewed as symbolic approaches to the problematic of mediated human communication. Finally, Actor Network Theory and Second Order Cybernetics were reviewed as modelling approaches. In juxtaposition to these theoretical approaches, several dominant metric techniques used to map human communication were surveyed, including bibliometrics, scientometrics, and cybermetrics. The metric analyses situated the study, and were introduced as the means through which the problematic of media overlap and its impact upon processes of knowledge production could be addressed. The theoretical and empirical approaches were woven into a unique methodology for the analysis. The communications of the Self Organization of the European Information Society (SOEIS) research project selected for the case study were divided into four discrete domains for analyses: print communication, electronic communication, publication behaviour, and mailing list dynamics. The analysis of the print revealed patterns of codification of scientific information, networks of cognitive orientation, and the systemic dimensions of print word distribution. It was found that print increasingly biased function-oriented words, in contrast to the electronic which exhibited an increasing frequency of words that contributed to the activity of the project; emails were thereby found to supplement project activity. The SOEIS print communications proved to be heavily codified and aggregative, whereas the electronic appeared resistant to codification. The analysis of journal publication revealed a bias toward Policy and Informatics oriented journals as shown by the predominance of Scientometrics and Research Policy. The SOIES group cited Research Policy articles in an effort to authenticate the policy relevance of scientometric research; it was in turn cited by journals published in Scientometrics. The analysis of the mailing list environment revealed that email did foster unique network relations between researchers, and that email served to supplement (not supplant) print communications. In closing, the challenges associated with integrating symbolic and modelling approaches were addressed, and suggestions for future researchers provided by means of a proposed software toolbox for the study of media difference: the Media Analysis Toolbox (MAT). The overriding research question was thereby addressed and answered: "do print and electronic media foster unique types of media environment, and are different modes of knowledge production and meaningful exchange thereby implied with each medium and its use?" Yes, print and electronic media do foster distinct types of knowledge production, and it is in the context of their interrelation that the general import of media, and of media difference, becomes clear. (Dissertation available for download at http://www.rozenbergps.com/files/zelman.pdf)

A note on recent trends in knowledge creation and appropriation through genomics: a scientometric analysis

Abstract: Using scientometric methods, this paper examines the impact of investment in the field of "genomics". It reveals that in terms of scientific publications and application for patents, the USA is still in the lead, that Japan has caught up well, and that Europe, while being strong in terms of scientific production, is weak in terms of patent applications. As in some of the other high-tech sectors, the European countries are willing to allocate their resources for the advancement of science but industrial development is slow to follow suit. The gap within the different groups of the triad remains important.

Ambiguity and scientometric measurement: a dissenting view

Abstract: Abe Bookstein has long been a persuasive advocate of the central role of the classical Lotka-Bradford-Zipf laws in bibliometrics and, subsequently, scientometrics and informetrics. In a series of often-quoted papers (Bookstein, [1977], [1990a], [1990b], [1997]), he has sought to demonstrate that Lotka-type laws have a unique resilience to various forms of reporting, which leads inevitably and naturally to their observance in empirical informetric data collected under a wide variety of circumstances. A general statement of his position was featured in the recent JASIST Special Topic Issue on Information Science at the Millennium (Bookstein, [2001]). We shall argue that there are grounds to dispute some of the logic, the mathematics, and the reality of the development. The contention is on the one hand that Bookstein's development lacks a rigorous mathematical basis, and on the other, that, in general, informetric processes are adequately described within a standard probabilistic framework with stochastic modelling offering the more productive approach.

Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira. Visibilidade e acessibilidade da produção científica na área da cirurgia experimental

Abstract: The visibility of science published by the journal Acta Cirurgica Brasileira is analized in the last 15 years, uninterrupted and maintining the regular intervals. Brazilian authors and of foreign countries published 116 articles in the first quinquennium (1986-1990), 170 in the second (1990-1995) and 190 in the third quinquennium (1995-2000). Also to be indexed in "Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information since 1987. Since may 1998 was incorporated in the project "Scientific Electronic Library Online-SciELO, being accessed by Internet. It is a electronic virtual library covering a selected collection of Brazilian scientific journals. This project envisages the development of a common methodology for the preparation, storage, dissemination and evaluation of scientific literature in electronic format. Provides full access to a collection of serial titles as well as to the full text articles. SciELO's site is: http://www.scielo.br. The performance of the journal Acta Cirurgica Brasileira can be measured by statistical analysis accessing the site. The journal fulfilled the concepts of informetrics, bibliometrics and scientometrics.

Karl Heinrich Frömmichen (1736–1783) and Adrian Balbi (1782–1848) — The Pioneers of Biblio- and Scientometrics

Abstract: When V. V. Nalimov in his important book Naukometriya (Moskva 1969) postulated research on the process of developement of science with the aid of quantitative methods, he listed many different indicators. There were among them the number and growth of scientific publications — books and periodicals, the number of scientists, the level of expenditure.

Scientometrical measurement and evaluation on international collaboration of basic research in China

Abstract: On the basis of Science Citation Index, we have established the data base and its statistics system about international co authored articles between China and 33 countries. Adopting the normative scientometrics indicators of international scientific collaboration, we have systemically measured and evaluated the current situation of international collaboration of Chinese basic research from six aspects. It is that international co authored articles increase and their disciplines distribution, comparison internationalization degree among the disciplines' output, country's distribution of important international collaboration partners, disciplines distribution of cooperation study between China and some representative countries, Chinese important institutions participating in international cooperation study. This study's conclusion has been applied in constituting the five years plan of international collaboration of Chinese basic research.

Scientometrics and publishing in Hungarian medical science. Ethical and technical issues

Abstract: The authors present an account of the main ethical and technical aspects relating to the measurement of medical publication activities and the compilation of publications lists. It is demonstrated that the Anglo-American scientometric system (Institute for Scientific Information, USA) is currently gaining stable ground in Hungary. At the same time, however, there continues to be a place for a national publication index used to assess Hungarian-language publication activity, for the two systems conveniently supplement one another. The criterion system of medical publishing established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) is described in detail, and is recommended for wide-ranging application in Hungary.

The inside-outside looking of the field of bibliometrics-scientometrics as reflected in references

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which the field of bibliometrics and scientometrics makes use of sources outside the field. The research was carried out by examining the references of articles published in Scientometrics in the course of two calendar years, 1990, 2000. The results show that in 2000, 56.9% (and 47.3% in 1990) of the references originated from three fields: scientometrics and bibliometrics; library and information science; and the sociology, history and philosophy of science. When comparing the two periods, there is also a considerable increase in journal self-citation (i.e.; references to the journal Scientometrics) and in the percentage of references to journals.