Scientific publications and COVID-19 “research pivots” during the pandemic

Abstract

This paper examines scientific research publication trends during the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. After reviewing the timing of the emergence of the pandemic in 2020 and the growth of governmental responses, available secondary sources are used to highlight impacts of COVID-19 on scientific research. A bibliometric analysis is then undertaken to analyze developments in COVID-19 related scientific publications through to October of 2020 by broad trends, fields, countries, and organizations. The paper explores the extent to which researchers across all fields of science have pivoted their research outputs to focus on topics related to COVID-19. Significant variations are found by specific fields (identified by Web of Science Subject Categories). In a top quintile of fields, not only in medical specialties, biomedical sciences, and public health but also in subjects in social sciences and arts and humanities, there are relatively high to medium research pivots. In lower quintiles, including many domains of science as well as in social science, and arts and humanities, low to zero COVID-19 research pivoting is identified. Implications for research management and policy and for future research assessment are highlighted.