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Evolutionary patterns of national disciplinary profiles in research: 1996–2015

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  • Ning Li

    (Eastern Washington University)

Abstract

This paper presents an empirical study of the evolutionary patterns of national disciplinary profiles in research using a dataset extracted from Scopus covering publications from 45 nations for the period 1996–2015. Measures of disciplinary specializations and statistical models are employed to examine the distribution of disciplinary specializations across nations, the patterns of structural changes in the world’s disciplinary profiles, and the evolutionary patterns of research profiles in individual nations. It is found that, while there has been a continuous process of convergence in national research profiles, nations differ greatly in their evolutionary patterns. Changes in national disciplinary profiles are decomposed into the regression effect and the mobility effect and both effects are analyzed for individual nations. The G7 and the BRICs countries are used as cases for the in-depth scrutiny. Policy implications based on the findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ning Li, 2017. "Evolutionary patterns of national disciplinary profiles in research: 1996–2015," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 111(1), pages 493-520, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:111:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s11192-017-2259-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-017-2259-4
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    2. Barbara S. Lancho-Barrantes & Hector G. Ceballos-Cancino & Francisco J. Cantu-Ortiz, 2021. "Comparing the efficiency of countries to assimilate and apply research investment," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 55(4), pages 1347-1369, August.
    3. Feifei Wang & Jia Liu & Xiaoyong Qiao, 2022. "An Empirical Study on the Relationship between Scientific Collaboration and Knowledge Production of the Countries along the Belt and Road," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, November.
    4. Jielan Ding & Per Ahlgren & Liying Yang & Ting Yue, 2018. "Disciplinary structures in Nature, Science and PNAS: journal and country levels," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 116(3), pages 1817-1852, September.
    5. Abramo, Giovanni & D'Angelo, Ciriaco Andrea & Di Costa, Flavia, 2022. "Revealing the scientific comparative advantage of nations: Common and distinctive features," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 16(1).

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