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The strong nonlinear effect in academic dropout

Author

Listed:
  • Yanmeng Xing

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • An Zeng

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Ying Fan

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Zengru Di

    (Beijing Normal University)

Abstract

Survivability is one of the features for success in contemporary science ecosystem. In this paper, we analyze the publication records of physicists in American Physical Society journals, aiming to identify the career length of each researcher and accordingly investigate the dropout phenomenon in science by the example of physicists. We find that scientific career is a complex nonlinear evolution process and can be generally divided into four stages regarding the dropout rate. In the early career, the dropout rate from trainee phase to maturity is high and negatively correlated with the research performance of the scientists, in both productivity and impact. Moreover, a strong nonlinearity is observed when we study the detailed relationship between the dropout rate and research performance. Interestingly, in the more mature stage of the career, the dropout rate becomes stable and independent of the early performance of the scientists. In the late career stage, the dropout rate increases and is mainly determined by retirement and external factors. The findings in this paper may provide useful guidance for young scholars to allocate their research effort in the early career.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanmeng Xing & An Zeng & Ying Fan & Zengru Di, 2019. "The strong nonlinear effect in academic dropout," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 120(2), pages 793-805, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:120:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s11192-019-03135-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-019-03135-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Levecque, Katia & Anseel, Frederik & De Beuckelaer, Alain & Van der Heyden, Johan & Gisle, Lydia, 2017. "Work organization and mental health problems in PhD students," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 868-879.
    2. Staša Milojević & Filippo Radicchi & John P. Walsh, 2018. "Changing demographics of scientific careers: The rise of the temporary workforce," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 115(50), pages 12616-12623, December.
    3. Jordi Duch & Xiao Han T Zeng & Marta Sales-Pardo & Filippo Radicchi & Shayna Otis & Teresa K Woodruff & Luís A Nunes Amaral, 2012. "The Possible Role of Resource Requirements and Academic Career-Choice Risk on Gender Differences in Publication Rate and Impact," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(12), pages 1-11, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nitzan Peri-Rotem, 2019. "Gendered Career Pathways among Doctoral Graduates in the United Kingdom," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Zhu, Wanying & Jin, Ching & Ma, Yifang & Xu, Cong, 2023. "Earlier recognition of scientific excellence enhances future achievements and promotes persistence," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 17(2).
    3. Katchanov, Yurij L. & Markova, Yulia V., 2022. "Dynamics of senses of new physics discourse: Co-keywords analysis," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 16(1).

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