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What makes a scientific article influential? The case of demographers

Author

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  • Hendrik P. Van Dalen

    (Scientific Council for Government Policy
    Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Kène Henkens

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

Abstract

In this paper we examine, by means of a citation analysis, which factors influence the impactof articles published in demography journals between 1990 and 1992. Several quantifiablecharacteristics of the articles (characteristics with respect to authors, visibility, content andjournals) are strongly related to their subsequent impact in the social sciences. Articles are mostfrequently cited when they deal with empirical, ahistorical research focusing on populations in thedeveloped world, when they are prominently placed in a journal issue, when they are written inEnglish and when they appear in core demography journals. Furthermore, although eminentscholars are likely to be cited on the basis of their reputation, the effect of reputation appears to besmall in demography.

Suggested Citation

  • Hendrik P. Van Dalen & Kène Henkens, 2001. "What makes a scientific article influential? The case of demographers," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 50(3), pages 455-482, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:50:y:2001:i:3:d:10.1023_a:1010510831718
    DOI: 10.1023/A:1010510831718
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