Romanian Psychology on the International Psychological Scene: A Preliminary Critical and Empirical Appraisal

Abstract

This study directly evaluates the visibility and the impact of Romanian academic psychology on the international scene using bibliometric indicators from the PsychoINFO, the MEDLINE, and the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI). It is also intended to use this evaluation of its international impact as an indirect estimate of the quality of Romanian academic psychology and to allow a consideration of future possible directions in its development. Such information would be useful for Romanian psychology programs in making future developmental policy and would further also be informative for our international colleagues in choosing Romanian partners for various projects and for the international institutions for a better allocation of the international psychological resources. The preliminary conclusion is that although Romanian psychology is visible—an important point, considering the obstacles during the communist period—its products (i.e., publications) are still less competitive and play a minor role in international psychology. A supplementary analysis identifies the major players in Romanian academic psychology and in clinical psychology.