Abstract
In science policy, it is often important to track emerging developments: new fields, fast-changing areas that are the focus of special funding efforts, or areas of growth or decline. This article presents methods to produce literature-based indicators for such areas using journal-to-journal citations. Using case studies of AIDS, superconductivity, and oncogenes, we posit that the inclusion of a new journal can be used as an indicator of structural change if the addition indicates the emergence of a new journal category. Using the cases of robotics and artificial intelligence, we illustrate the development of areas chosen for priority funding. Again using artificial intelligence, we demonstrate the importance of constructing even such simple measures of scientific performance as publication counts using dynamic rather than constant journal sets. Change in performance within a subfield can be systematically distinguished from change in the delineations among subfields over time.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
