An exploratory study on substantive co-link analysis: A modification to total co-link analysis

Since the term “co-link” was put forward, many scholars have done exploratory investigations to prove the applicability and validity of co-link analysis used in mapping internet structure and mining relationships among internet colonies. All of these studies are based on the whole links in the web called “total co-link analysis”. However, there are both substantive and non-substantive links in the web, and the number of the latter outweights that of the former, which makes the preconditions of total co-link analysis untenable. In this paper, we present “substantive co-link analysis”, and believe it is more sound and valid than “total co-link analysis”. Then exploratory investigations on both total and substantive co-link analysis are carried out with the sample of 20 academic blogs on Library and Information Science, the results of which testify our assumption that “substantive co-link analysis” is more efficient and reasonable than “total co-link analysis”.     

Trends and performance of oxidative stress research from 1991 to 2010

A bibliometric analysis was performed in this work to determine research trends of oxidative stress publications published between 1991 and 2010 in journals of all the subject categories of the Science citation index. Publication trends were analyzed by the retrieved results in publication type and language, characteristics of articles outputs, country, subject categories and journals, and the frequency of title-words and keywords used. Over the years, there was a significant growth in article outputs, with more countries participating and collaborating. The seven major industrialized countries (G7) published the majority of the world articles while the USA contributed about one-third of the total. Chinese and Indian outputs grew much faster than those of other countries in the past 5 years. Oxidative stress research in food and environmental related fields gradually became the mainstream of the research. An analysis of the title-words, author keywords and keywords plus showed that antioxidants in human or rat cells were the hot topic in the field. In addition, “reaction oxygen species”, “apoptosis”, and “nitric-oxide” were major topics of oxidative stress research recently. More articles dealt with diseases that had a strong relationship with oxidative stress, such as inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.     

A dense network sub-grouping algorithm for co-citation analysis and its implementation in the software tool Sitkis

Summary Clustering algorithms are used prominently in co-citation analysis by analysts aiming to reveal research streams within a field. However, clustering of widely cited articles is not robust to small variations in citation patterns. We propose an alternative algorithm, dense network sub-grouping, which identifies dense groups of co-cited references. We demonstrate the algorithm using a data set from the field of family business research and compare it to two alternative methods, multidimensional scaling and clustering. We also introduce a free software tool, Sitkis, that implements the algorithm and other common bibliometric methods. The software identifies journal-, country- and university-specific citation patterns and co-citation groups, enabling the identification of “invisible colleges.”     

Applications for bibliometric research in the emerging digital libraries

Large numbers of research documents have recently become available on the Internet through “digital libraries”, and these collections are seeing high levels of use by their related research communities. A secondary use for these document repositories and indexes is as a platform for bibliometric research. We examine the extent to which the new digital libraries support conventional bibliometric analysis, and discuss shortcomings in their current forms. Interestingly, these electronic text archives also provide opportunities for new types of studies: generally the full text of documents are available for analysis, giving a finer grain of insight than abstract-only online databases; these repositories often contain technical reports or pre-prints, the “grey literature” that has been previously unavailable for analysis; and document “usage” can be measured directly by recording user accesses, rather than studied indirectly through document references.     

Institutional h-index: The performance of a new metric in the evaluation of Brazilian Psychiatric Post-graduation Programs

A fair assessment of merit is needed for better resource allocation in the scientific community. We analyzed the performance of the institutional h-index in the case of Brazilian Psychiatry Post-graduation Programs. Traditional bibliometric indicators and the institutional h-index similarly ranked the programs, except for the Average Impact Factor. The institutional h-index correlated strongly with the majority of the traditional bibliometric indicators, which did not occur with the Average Impact Factor. The institutional h-index balances “quantity” and “quality”, and can be used as part of a panel of bibliometric indicators to aid the peer-review process.     

The “Mendel syndrome” in science: durability of scientific literature and its effects on bibliometric analysis of individual scientists

The obsolescence and “durability” of scientific literature have been important elements of debate during many years, especially regarding the proper calculation of bibliometric indicators. The effects of “delayed recognition” on impact indicators have importance and are of interest not only to bibliometricians but also among research managers and scientists themselves. It has been suggested that the “Mendel syndrome” is a potential drawback when assessing individual researchers through impact measures. If publications from particular researchers need more time than “normal” to be properly acknowledged by their colleagues, the impact of these researchers may be underestimated with common citation windows. In this paper, we answer the question whether the bibliometric indicators for scientists can be significantly affected by the Mendel syndrome. Applying a methodology developed previously for the classification of papers according to their durability (Costas et al., J Am Soc Inf Sci Technol 61(8):1564–1581, 2010a; J Am Soc Inf Sci Technol 61(2):329–339, 2010b), the scientific production of 1,064 researchers working at the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) in three different research areas has been analyzed. Cases of potential “Mendel syndrome” are rarely found among researchers and these cases do not significantly outperform the impact of researchers with a standard pattern of reception in their citations. The analysis of durability could be included as a parameter for the consideration of the citation windows used in the bibliometric analysis of individuals.     

An item-by-item subject classification of papers published in multidisciplinary and general journals using reference analysis

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 asNature, Science andPNAS—and so far as subfields are taken into consideration-also for “general” journals (e.g.JACS orAngewandte 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.     

Research trends analysis by comparing data mining and customer relationship management through bibliometric methodology

There are few comprehensive studies and categorization schemes to discuss the characteristics for both data mining and customer relationship management (CRM) although they have already become more important recently. Using a bibliometric approach, this paper analyzes data mining and CRM research trends from 1989 to 2009 by locating headings “data mining” and “customer relationship management” or “CRM” in topics in the SSCI database. The bibliometric analytical technique was used to examine these two topics in SSCI journals from 1989 to 2009, we found 1181 articles with data mining and 1145 articles with CRM. This paper implemented and classified data mining and CRM articles using the following eight categories—publication year, citation, country/territory, document type, institute name, language, source title and subject area—for different distribution status in order to explore the differences and how data mining and CRM technologies have developed in this period and to analyze data mining and CRM technology tendencies under the above result. Also, the paper performs the K–S test to check whether the analysis follows Lotka’s law. The research findings can be extended to investigate author productivity by analyzing variables such as chronological and academic age, number and frequency of previous publications, access to research grants, job status, etc. In such a way characteristics of high, medium and low publishing activity of authors can be identified. Besides, these findings will also help to judge scientific research trends and understand the scale of development of research in data mining and CRM through comparing the increases of the article author. Based on the above information, governments and enterprises may infer collective tendencies and demands for scientific researcher in data mining and CRM to formulate appropriate training strategies and policies in the future. This analysis provides a roadmap for future research, abstracts technology trends and facilitates knowledge accumulations so that data mining and CRM researchers can save some time since core knowledge will be concentrated in core categories. This implies that the phenomenon “success breeds success” is more common in higher quality publications.     

A bibliometric study of the trend in articles related to eutrophication published in Science Citation Index

A keyword analysis was applied in this work to evaluate research trends of eutrophication papers published between 1991 and 2010 in any journal of all the subject categories of the Science Citation Index compiled by Institute for Scientific Information, Philadelphia, USA. Eutrophication was used as a keyword to search parts of titles, abstracts, or keywords. The published output analysis showed that eutrophication research steadily increased over the past 20 years and the annual publication output in 2008, 2009, 2010 were about four times that of 1991. The whole paper published by China ranked at 3rd, but these papers’ IF were lower than the average of the world. “Water Framework Directive” and “Life Cycle Assessment” were two of the most frequently used author keywords in the period between 1999 and 2010 whilst they did not appear before 1998. These new conception indicated eutrophication research trend was changing to policy and management from technological researches.     

Examining the best-fit paradigm for FEM at element level

Interestingly, an esoteric branch of pure mathematics called “functional analysis”, more general and profound than variational calculus and originally developed by mathematicians, can be employed to explain clearly how the finite element machinery works. In a very abstract way, finite element results can be portrayed as “shadows” or orthogonal projections on predetermined function subspaces of the analytical results, known or unknown. Herein lies the philosophy of the finite element method. In the present work, an effort has been made to validate this important aspect of the finite element method at the element level through a particular differential equation representing a specific case of equilibrium     

The Forgotten “Old-Darwinian” Synthesis: The Evolutionary Theory of Ludwig H. Plate (1862–1937)

The German zoologist and geneticist Ludwig Plate was a pupil and successor of the “German Darwin” Ernst Haeckel as the director of the Institute of Zoology at Jena University. Plate campaigned for a revival of the original Darwinism. His research program, which he labelled “old-Darwinism”, proclaimed the synthesis of selectionism with “moderate Lamarckism” and orthogenesis.This article reconstructs and analyses Plate’s “old-Darwinian” synthesis and sheds light on Plate’s controversial biography, especially his conflict with Haeckel. Our research was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (HO 2143/5–2).     

A bibliometric analysis of the performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Water Research</Emphasis>

This paper presents a detailed chronological survey of papers published in the journal titled Water Research which started publication since 1967. This current investigation reviews publication patterns between 1967 and 2008. An analysis of the research performance according to publication output, distribution of words in article title, author keywords, and keywords plus. Performances of countries, institutes, and authors, including total, single, collaborative, first author, and corresponding author publications were analyzed. The most-frequently cited articles each year and the articles of the highest impact in 2008 were also reported. Results showed that “activated sludge” was the most frequently used author keyword, followed by “adsorption,” and “drinking water.” Authors from 114 different countries/territories published in the journal, with the most articles submitted by authors from the USA.     

Trends in Russian research output in post-Soviet era

Recently, the Russian government has ordered evaluation and reform of the basic research system. As a consequence, the number of research staff at the Russian Academy of Sciences will be reduced by 20% by 2007. The basis for research evaluation and institute budgeting will be bibliometric indicators. In view of these changes we look at the Russian publication output and argue that

Research on the semantic-based co-word analysis

Through analysis of problems of keywords and indexes used in co-word analysis, we find that the key to solving these problems is to integrate experts’ knowledge into co-word analysis. Therefore, this paper proposes a new co-word analysis: semantic-based co-word analysis which can integrate experts’ knowledge into co-word analysis effectively. The performance of this method has been proved to be very good. It can solve problems on keywords and indexes used in co-word analysis effectively and can improve the veracity of co-word analysis. Using this method, the research filed of “human intelligence network” in China has been analyzed. According to the analysis result, we point out that there are four research focuses on it in China now. They are “methods and theories of human intelligence network”, “human intelligence network”, “competitive intelligence system (CIS for short)”, “the construction and visualization of human intelligence network”. The findings of this study not only advance the state of co-word analysis research but also shed light on future research directions.     

Towards an integrated approach to “Design for X”: an agenda for decision-based DFX research

Concurrent engineering encourages holistic product development, considering all aspects of the product in design decisions. “Design for X” (DFX) techniques are popular for doing this, yet each focuses on just one aspect of the product (manufacture, cost, etc.). To provide the holistic approach required by concurrent engineering, these techniques must be brought together, but this has received little attention in the literature. This paper argues for “top down” development of DFX, starting from the needs of design decision-making, to balance the current “bottom-up” approach. Existing DFX techniques are compared to see how they can be used together. The importance of relating DFX techniques to the overall purpose of a product, not just other DFX, is highlighted, along with some of the challenges in making trade-offs. The paper concludes by highlighting relevant lessons from decision research and four themes for future research necessary to develop the proposed “top down” approach.     

On the analogy between the evolution of thermodynamic and bibliometric systems: a breakthrough or just a bubble?

This paper presents an in depth study of an interesting analogy, recently proposed by Prathap (Scientometrics 87(3):515–524, 2011a), between the evolution of thermodynamic and bibliometric systems. The goal is to highlight some weaknesses and clarify some “dark sides” in the conceptual framework of this analogy, discussing the formal validity and practical meaning of the concepts of Energy, Exergy and Entropy in bibliometrics. Specifically, this analogy highlights the following major criticalities: (1) the definitions of E and X are controversial, (2) the equivalence classes of E and X are questionable, (3) the parallel between the evolution of thermodynamic and bibliometric systems is forced, (4) X is a non-monotonic performance indicator, and (5) in bibliometrics the condition of “thermodynamic perfection” is questionable. Argument is supported by many analytical demonstrations and practical examples.     

Trends of DDT research during the period of 1991 to 2005

A keyword analysis was applied in this work to evaluate research trends of DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) papers published between 1991 and 2005 in any journal of all the subject categories of the Science Citation Index compiled by ISI (Institute for Scientific Information, Philadelphia, USA). DDT was used as a keyword to search parts of titles, abstracts, or keywords. The published output analysis showed that DDT research steadily increased over the past 15 years and the annual publication output in 2005 was about twice that of 1991. The two peaks in 1997 and 2000 were closely related to two new research fields on DDT, namely the endocrine disruption and the persistent organic pollutants (POPs). A paper entitled “Persistent DDT metabolite p,p’-DDE is a potent androgen receptor antagonist” published in 1995 in Nature by Kelce et al. firstly discovered DDT’s toxicity for humans. As a result, public concerns regarding DDT ballooned and now play a key role in DDT research. Keyword analysis indicated that the research interest changed remarkably from 1991 to 2005. “Endocrine disruption” was one of the most frequently used author keywords in the period between 2002 and 2005 whilst it did not appear before 1997. The new conception of POPs showed the same trend. The whole paper published by India and Mexico ranked at 6^th and 13^th. That showed that DDT research is often related with DDT’s risk and benifits to humans.     

Using a bibliometric approach to support research policy making: The case of the Flemish BOF-key

In this paper, we describe the development of a methodology and an instrument to support a major research funding allocation decision by the Flemish government. Over the last decade, and in parallel with the decentralization and the devolution of the Belgian federal policy authority towards the various regions and communities in the country, science and technology policy have become a major component of regional policy making. In the Flemish region, there has been an increasing focus on basing the funding allocation decisions that originate from this policy decentralization on “objective, quantifiable and repeatable” decision parameters. One of the data sources and indicator bases that have received ample attention in this evolution is the use of bibliometric data and indicators. This has now led to the creation of a dedicated research and policy support staff, called “Steunpunt O&O Statistieken,” and the first time application of bibliometric data and methods to support a major inter-university funding allocation decision. In this paper, we analyze this evolution. We show how bibliometric data have for the first time been used to allocate 93 million Euro of public research money between 6 Flemish universities for the fiscal year 2003, based on Web-of-Science SCI data provided to “Steunpunt O&O Statistieken” via a license agreement with Thomson-ISI. We also discuss the limitations of the current approach that was based on inter-university publication and citation counts. We provide insights into future adaptations that might make it more representative of the total research activity at the universities involved (e.g., by including data for the humanities) and of its visibility (e.g., by including impact measures). Finally, based on our current experience and interactions with the universities involved, we speculate on the future of the specific bibliometric approach that has now been adopted. More specifically, we hypothesize that the allocation method now developed and under further improvement will become more criticized if it turns out that it (1) also starts influencing intra-university research allocation decisions and, as a consequence (2) introduces adverse publication and citation behaviors at the universities involved. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Kramers-Kronig relations for permittivity, “True” screening radius,and critical point of a coulomb system

A correlation between the peculiarities of the electric permittivity (EP) ɛ(q, ω) of a homogenous and isotropic Coulomb system (CS) in the limit of ω → 0, q → 0 and q → 0, ω → 0 is established on the basis of exact limiting relations; general expression for static EP ɛ(q, 0) of a CS is obtained in the region of small wave vectors q. The concepts of a “true” dielectric and “ideal” conductor are introduced. The definition of a “true” screening radius is considered. A critical point of two-component CS is shown to correspond to either the “true” dielectric state or the “ideal” conductor one.