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What shapes the delay in the Nobel Prize discoveries? A research note

Author

Listed:
  • Michael L. Polemis

    (University of Piraeus
    Hellenic Competition Commission
    Hellenic Open University)

  • Thanasis Stengos

    (University of Guelph)

Abstract

The scope of this study is to shed light on the determinants of the time gap between the publication of a Nobel discovery and the bestowment of the prize across three science fields (Physics, Chemistry, and Medicine). The econometric evidence supports that the delay gap is inversely related to the age of the Laureate when the Nobel-worthy contribution was published in Physics and Chemistry but not in Medicine. An increase of the age of the researcher by one year leads to a reduction of the Nobel delay by almost three months on average while sharing the Prize for the same research delays the award by approximately 1.2 years. Lastly, important theoretical discoveries increase the delay by 3.3 years on average, while obtaining the last education degree a year later delays the Nobel Prize by 4.7 months on average.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael L. Polemis & Thanasis Stengos, 2022. "What shapes the delay in the Nobel Prize discoveries? A research note," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(2), pages 803-811, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:127:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s11192-021-04241-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-021-04241-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Benjamin F. Jones, 2010. "Age and Great Invention," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 92(1), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Baffes, John & Vamvakidis, Athanasios, 2011. "Are you too young for the Nobel Prize?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(10), pages 1345-1353.
    3. Santo Fortunato, 2014. "Growing time lag threatens Nobels," Nature, Nature, vol. 508(7495), pages 186-186, April.
    4. Romualdas Karazija & Alina Momkauskaitė, 2004. "The Nobel prize in physics - regularities and tendencies," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 61(2), pages 191-205, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Iván Aranzales & Ho Fai Chan & Benno Torgler, 2023. "Finally! How time lapse in Nobel Prize reception affects emotionality in the Nobel Prize banquet speeches," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(7), pages 4089-4115, July.
    2. Chih-Hsing Liu & Jun-You Lin, 2024. "Collaboration-based scientific productivity: evidence from Nobel laureates," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 129(7), pages 3735-3768, July.
    3. Pandelis Mitsis, 2022. "The Nobel Prize time gap," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Wen Lou & Jiangen He & Lingxin Zhang & Zhijie Zhu & Yongjun Zhu, 2023. "Support behind the scenes: the relationship between acknowledgement, coauthor, and citation in Nobel articles," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(10), pages 5767-5790, October.
    5. Ho Fai Chan & Franklin G. Mixon & Jayanta Sarkar & Benno Torgler, 2022. "Recognition and longevity: an examination of award timing and lifespan in Nobel laureates," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(6), pages 3629-3659, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Nobel Prize; Delay gap; Sciences; Contest;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • C80 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - General
    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact

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