A longitudinal assessment of Nigerias research output for evidence based science policy development

Abstract

The study measured the trend of science and technology research output and investigated the pattern/breath of collaboration among actors of Nigeria's research and development system. Based on the results obtained, it considered its implications for science policy development. The study purposively selected the 148 science and technology journals out of the 221 journals queried over a five-year assessment period from 2012 to 2016 to elicit metrical data from the publications. Data harvested was analysed using percentages, relative growth rate and doubling time on a year-wise basis from 2012 to 2016, to identify the positive or negative growth trend of research outputs. VOS viewer was further used to examine the pattern of collaboration. The analysis from the study provided information on the extent of research that has been carried out in the various thematic areas in Nigeria's new science, technology and innovation (STI) policy.