Research Productivity Research Articles

Go-Itata Ritualised Theatre Performance Modes of koma Aesthetics in a Performance as Research Production: Wela

The body speaks. Embodiment has always been the essence of communication in African theatre and ritual. Rituals are the wellspring of interpreting universal features of human behaviour and underpinning the theatrical. Yet theatre makers grapple with showcasing explicit ritual as performance. Ritual remains exquisitely different from theatre, and if moved from its original place and intent, it loses its integrity and purpose. Postdramatic performers have (re)embraced that their bodies can be used as a tool that can “speak” and offer new ways of interpreting ritual aesthetics. Through a methodology of ukuzilanda this article describes the performance as research approach with the emphasis on Postdramatic practices where embodying is celebrated as the main modality conveying messages in performance. This paper discusses the process undertaken to present ritual elements from the South African BaPedi male initiation in an aesthetic performance titled Wela (2021). Wela is a Pedi term which means “to cross-over” – this offers relevance both to the koma ritual it is representing as well as to the presentation of aesthetics of ritual through Postdramatic interpretations. Further, an approach coined as Go-itata embraces the (re)conceptual discussion of ritualised theatre that embraces the elements of embodied commentary, intent, and expressive narrative in the conceptual and staging processes. This paper offers Go-itata ritualised theatre performance modes to explore the (re)conceptual presentation of ritual aesthetics for the stage.

Bibliometric Analysis of Spline Regression Model for Trend Mapping and Strategy Development Research Using Vosviewer

Bibliometric analysis is a quantitative method used to measure and analyze scientific literature. This technique involves the collection and analysis of publication data, such as journal articles, books, and conferences, to evaluate and understand patterns of scientific communication, research productivity, author collaboration, journal impact, and trends within a scientific field. Bibliometric analysis has a limitation in that it is challenging to visualize effectively, necessitating the use of software for proper visualization. Therefore, this article discusses bibliometric analysis on spline regression for trend mapping and strategy development using VOSviewer software. The research results show that the visualization of spline regression keywords with VOSviewer can help in understanding patterns of relationships between variables, research trends, and network structures in scientific literature. Based on the analysis results, bibliometric analysis on spline regression can be visualized in trend mapping, which can aid in planning further research strategies, including identifying collaboration opportunities and underexplored research areas.

Research trends in digital citizenship: Bibliometric mapping from web of science

Digitalization has recently gained significant relevance in the education field. The focus has been on its use and application, as well as on training teachers and students to become responsible, competent, and ethical users of technology. This is connected to the creation of policies and programs that promote online learning and interaction from basic to higher education. In this context, this study aims to analyze the scientific production related to digital citizenship through a bibliometric mapping of publications indexed in the Web of Science database. The goal is to identify the main research trends in this field. The results show a growth in the number of publications since 2016, mainly focusing on topics such as digital citizenship media, digital competences, higher education, teachers, students, adolescents, adults, competence, digital literacy, and citizenship education. The presence of a significant number of journals related to the field of education denotes a close relationship between this field and the topic of study. Also, it is revealing a higher concentration of research production in the United States and Europe, with Latin America being absent from this scenario. The study identifies an intellectual structure of the discipline, particularly regarding the most relevant authors, journals, and descriptors. These results are important for understanding the research practices inherent to the field, which projects digital citizenship as an emerging topic. The study concludes by proposing lines of interest for further research on the topic in education and other fields, as well as acknowledging the limitations found in the present article.

Impacts of COVID-19 on Research Productivity: Disruptions to the Pipeline for Early Career Researchers

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in productivity losses, particularly for early career researchers (ECRs) who do not have the same track record as their non-ECR colleagues. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine differences in time allocation and research productivity outcomes between ECRs and non-ECRs at a Carnegie Classification R1 University in the United States. We quantitatively and qualitatively examined differences in time allocation (i.e., research, teaching) and research productivity outcomes (e.g., peer-reviewed publications), as well as pandemic-related challenges, between ECRs and non-ECRs over three time periods: pre-pandemic, year one of the pandemic, and the first eight months of year two of the pandemic. Compared to non-ECRs, ECRs reported significantly more time spent on research, less time on teaching, fewer peer-reviewed publications, and fewer funding proposal submissions during the pandemic. Qualitative data revealed three broad categories of pandemic-related challenges: tangible (e.g., research delays), intangible (e.g., mental health), and long-term impacts on career trajectory (e.g., delayed promotion). The implications for future research and for universities looking to mitigate adverse impacts of the pandemic for ECRs are discussed.

Perceptions of Postgraduates Towards Using Citation Management Software in Academic Writing: A Case Study in a Vietnamese University

Citation management software (CMS), especially Mendeley, has been suggested for researchers to automatically manage bibliographic information thanks to its complementary version with significant space for data storage. However, little research has been conducted regarding the applicability of Mendeley to the academic writing of postgraduates, especially in Vietnam. This study examined postgraduates’ perspectives toward utilizing Mendeley in academic writing during their language master’s programs at a public university in Vietnam using a mixed method. Data was collected through pre- and post-survey questionnaires of 45 postgraduates majoring in foreign languages and in-depth interviews for a thorough investigation. The findings indicated that Mendeley enhanced the participants’ research productivity and quality, but technological issues and a lack of training limit its use. Also, the study recommended that the institution organize workshops, seminars, and fundamental training courses in Mendeley for postgraduates to use it efficiently.

A bibliometric analysis of research on physical activity and fitness among preschool children in Asia (2020-2024)

Background: Physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) are essential for preschool children's development. However, rising childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles are concerning. A comprehensive analysis of the research landscape is necessary to inform better interventions and policies. Research Objectives: This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of research on physical activity and physical fitness among preschool children in Asia from 2020 to 2024. Methods: The analysis was based on publications from Scopus and Web of Science, focussing on keyword co-occurrence, citation analysis, and co-authorship networks. We used tools like ScientoPy and VOSviewer to assess key metrics such as the number of publications, citations, and influential contributors. Findings/Results: The study reveals significant trends, with a peak in research productivity in 2022, reflecting heightened global attention on early physical health. China, Japan, and Iran led contributions, with China dominating in publication volume. Notable researchers included Saeed Ghorbani and emerging contributors Ahmad Chaeroni and Amir Dana. Leading journals, such as the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and Frontiers in Public Health, were prominent sources. Conclusion: Despite a decline in productivity post-2022, PA and PF research for preschoolers remains important. These shifting trends provide opportunities for researchers to explore new areas or innovate approaches. Significant contributions from Asian researchers also indicate a geographic shift in the global research focus. This study also highlights the importance of physical activity in preschoolers and how trends in scientific publications can help policymakers formulate more effective interventions to improve children's fitness.

Gender Disparity in Academic Trauma Surgery: The Current State of Affairs.

Despite the increasing number of female surgeons in general surgery programs, women are still inadequately represented in leadership positions. This study aims to investigate the magnitude of gender bias in university-based trauma surgery fellowship programs and leadership positions in the United States of America. FRIEDA was used to identify trauma surgery programs. A thorough website review of each program obtained further information on faculty members, including their name, age, gender, and faculty rank. Trauma surgeons with an MD or DO qualification and a faculty rank of Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor were selected for inclusion in this study. SCOPUS was used to assess the H-index and the number of publications and citations of surgeons. The total number of programs included was 136, consisting of 715 faculty members. Less than a quarter (n = 166; 23.2%) comprised females and less than one-fifth (n = 30; 19%) of female surgeons were Professors. The difference in the research productivity of male and female trauma surgeons was statistically significant (P < .05), with the average H-index being 10 vs 7.5, respectively, amongst the top 50 surgeons of both genders. Based on a multiple regression analysis, academic rank was significantly associated (P < .05), and gender was not significantly associated (P > .05) with H-index. Gender disparity exists in the field of trauma surgery, as noted in senior faculty ranks and leadership positions. Female-inclusive state policies, appropriate mentorship, and supportive institutions can help to bridge this gap.

How Do You Say Your Name? Difficult-to-Pronounce Names and Labor Market Outcomes

We test for labor market discrimination based on an understudied characteristic: name fluency. Analysis of recent economics PhD job candidates indicates that name difficulty is negatively related to the probability of landing an academic or tenure-track position and research productivity of initial institutional placement. Discrimination due to name fluency is also found using experimental data from prior audit studies. Within samples of African Americans (Bertrand and Mullainathan 2004) and ethnic immigrants (Oreopoulos 2011), job applicants with less fluent names experience lower callback rates, and name complexity explains roughly between 10 and 50 percent of ethnic name penalties. The results are primarily driven by candidates with weaker résumés, suggesting that cognitive biases may contribute to the penalty of having a difficult-to-pronounce name. (JEL A11, J15, J23, J44, J71)

Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Review of Two Decades of Food Vendors Study: Deciphering the Dynamics of Food Vendor Research

This study examines food vendor research over a two-decade period (2005-2023), using both bibliometric and systematic review approaches. Using data from the Scopus database with 421 articles, the study shows a significant increase in research production, with a focus on food security, consumer behavior, and the influence of COVID-19. The bibliometric analysis reveals major study issues, such as food safety, sustainability, and the informal sector, while a systematic examination of the top 20 most-cited publications provides additional insight into the research landscape. This review emphasizes the need of include time in food accessibility studies, the need for a more nuanced understanding of food deserts, and the increased interest in organic vegetable marketing and insect eating. Also this is the first article which completely drafted in the perspective of food vendors. The study concludes by identifying limitations and suggesting future research directions, emphasizing the importance of an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating qualitative methods, focusing on specific regions, investigating the impact of the internet, and delving deeper into purchasing habits, sustainability, and socioeconomic impacts. This thorough analysis lays the groundwork for future research, encouraging the creation of more fair, sustainable, and resilient food systems.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Ten Years on Positive Psychology in Foreign/Second Language Education (2012-2022)

This bibliometric study examines the research trends, productivity, publication, and citation patterns of positive psychology in the field of foreign/second language education by analyzing 137 documents retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database between 2012-2022. Data analysis was conducted using various scientometric software, including MS Excel and Biblioshiny. Results reveal that the first publication on this topic appeared in 2012, with a major increase observed in 2021-2022, with the highest number of publications (N = 41) in 2022. The highest number of citations (n = 528) were observed in 2018. China was found to be the most productive country (N = 106), while Japan had the highest citation impact (N = 63). The most cited document received 198 citations. The study also found that the most frequently used word was "emotion" and the trending topic was positive psychology. The most productive university affiliation was found to be Birkbeck University of London in the UK.

China–US scientific collaboration on sustainable development amidst geopolitical tensions

This study aims to investigate whether growing geopolitical competition has affected international collaboration in sustainable development research, with a particular focus on structural changes in bilateral research collaboration between China and the United States. Three datasets have been created and compared using bibliographic information provided by the Web of Science core collection: before the Trump administration, during the Trump administration, and during the Biden administration. The results indicate that countries worldwide have conducted extensive research in sustainable development, and the United States, China, and the United Kingdom have produced the most publications, demonstrating a high level of scientific research productivity. Concerning the collaborative patterns of sustainable development research, China and the United States are each other’s largest collaborative partners. The intensity of scientific research collaboration between the two countries has not declined due to geopolitical tensions. Conversely, the intensity of scientific research between the two countries is still increasing. The keyword thematic explorations reveal that research on China–US collaboration has focused differently across the three time periods and that despite differences in research bias, efforts to contribute to advancing the achievement of the SDGs have been consistent. It is possible that geopolitical considerations have heightened the urgency of policy research and led to its incorporation into research centers.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in Hazard Mitigation Studies in Korea: Based on Articles from the Journal of Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to identify research trends in hazard mitigation, based on 3,074 papers published in the Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation between 2010 and 2023. The findings revealed that research on climate change and disaster response was the most active, with key topics including natural disaster management, urban water resource management, fire analysis and prevention, and AI-based disaster management. A keyword analysis highlighted “disaster” and “climate change” as having the highest frequency and centrality within the network. Institutional analysis identified the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology as the leading institution in co-authorship, with high research productivity and a key role as an intermediary. The authors’ analysis revealed that certain authors were central to expanding the field through diverse cooperation. These insights highlight the evolution of hazard mitigation research in Korea and offer guidance for future research to tackle emerging challenges in disaster management.

Bibliometrics and National Institutes of Health Funding: Associated Factors in Academic Rhinology

AbstractOur study aims to evaluate demographics and research productivity in academic rhinology and to establish the relationship between bibliometrics such as the Hirsch index (h-index) and the more recently developed relative citation ratio (RCR) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. Retrospective cohort study. The demographics of academic rhinologists were collected from institutional faculty profiles (N = 207). Funding data were obtained from the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditures and Reports Database. The h-index was calculated using Scopus. The mean (m-RCR) and weighted RCR (w-RCR) were calculated using the NIH iCite tool. The majority of academic rhinologists were men (72.9%). Only 8.7% of rhinologists (N = 18) received NIH funding. Rhinologists receiving NIH funding had greater h-index (31 vs. 11), m-RCR (2.6 vs. 1.6), and w-RCR (339.9 vs. 44.7) (P &lt; 0.001). Men had greater h-index (14 vs. 10, P &lt; 0.001) and w-RCR (56.8 vs. 36.9, P = 0.025) but not m-RCR (1.7 vs. 1.6, P = 0.799) than women. Stratifying by academic professorship rank and across all career durations, h-index, m-RCR, and w-RCR were not significantly different between men and women. Among academic rhinologists the h-index, m-RCR, and w-RCR were all associated with receiving NIH funding. Similar h-index, m-RCR, and w-RCR between men and women across all academic professorship ranks and career durations suggests production of similar quality and quantity of research. The m-RCR and w-RCR help to address some of the limitations of the h-index and are useful for assessing research productivity.

Community Co-creation through knowledge (Co)Production: The engagement of universities in promoting rural revitalization in China

The global discourse on the role of universities in rural revitalization has gained significant attention. The proposition is to leverage university expertise and resources to support rural development, including knowledge (co)production, community co-creation, and volunteerism – a practice that essentially bridges local actors and their knowledge with external actors and their knowledge. As advocated by UN Habitat III, the collaboration between universities and rural communities is an initiative exemplified by China's “Jointly Create a Beautiful Environment and a Happy Life” to enhance the built environment. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the implementation and outcomes of the “Rural Four Small Gardens” projects, which serve as a vital community development initiative within the Hongtang Village in Fengqing County, Yunnan Province, China. The research discusses those processes, observing opportunities for knowledge (co)production across diverse stakeholders in line with neo-endogenous rural development thinking. By exploring the co-creation approach employed in these projects, we seek to unravel how academia and local communities collaborate to address multifaceted challenges in rural areas. We argue that: 1) The engagement of rural communities through collaborative planning workshops serves as the fundamental cornerstone for university paired-up assistance; 2) the co-creation model for improving rural settlement necessitates the collective efforts of multiple stakeholders; 3) university faculty and students play pivotal roles during the process of service learning, practice research, and knowledge (co)production with villagers; and 4) Knowledge (co)production entails a dynamic process of co-construction, co-governance, and resource sharing, exemplified by co-creation initiatives of home development, farmyard enhancement, and infrastructure projects. The research offers insights for global universities seeking to engage in similar paired-up assistance initiatives, underscores the significance of co-creation in rural development, and enlightens planning education in practice and service.

A Survey-Based Study of Dermatologist Research Productivity: Consideration of Restructuring the Current Academic Model

A Survey-Based Study of Dermatologist Research Productivity: Consideration of Restructuring the Current Academic Model

Role of Technology Innovation in Economic Growth: A Bibliometric Analysis

Economic growth is a metric used to measure a country's development and advancement. Technological innovation is a driving force behind economic growth and helps to improve and modernize industrial techniques. Thus, this study aims to synthesize existing research on the impact of technology innovation on economic growth from 2010 to 2024 through bibliometric analysis. 414 documents were extracted from the Scopus database and then analyzed through the BiblioShiny software. This review provides insightful information on the background of technological innovation and its impact on economic growth and analyses data according to publication patterns, sources, documents, authors, nations, and keywords. The results indicate a rapid and remarkable growth (28.91%) in this field, suggesting that interest in this field has increased noticeably. China emerges as a leader in terms of research production, citations, and partnerships when national contributions are examined. China is also a keyword that is frequently used in related literature. Sharif A. and Liu J are the most influential authors in terms of citation and publication respectively. Jiangsu University is the top institution, and “Environment Science and Pollution Research” is the top source that has contributed the highest number of articles in this field. Various bibliometric studies have been carried out to explore the concept of technology innovation in different facets and contexts, but economic growth through the lens of technological innovation remains unexplored. Thus, this study advances our knowledge regarding the influential role of technology innovation in economic growth by using a bibliometric lens to examine the literature, identify knowledge gaps, indicate areas requiring more research, and highlight the potential for progress. These findings will have significant implications that can greatly benefit researchers, decision-makers, and professionals in crafting policies and focusing on infrastructure development to support technology innovation. This bibliometric study concludes with limitations and recommendations for further study.

Closing the Gaps in Fish Welfare: The Case for More Fundamental Work Into Physical Enrichment

ABSTRACTBillions of fishes are kept in captivity for research and food production world‐wide, with a strong impetus for maintaining high welfare standards. Accordingly, the importance of empirical research into the welfare and husbandry of captive fishes is increasingly acknowledged in both science and aquaculture, alongside growing public and governmental interest. Physical enrichment can have an important influence on welfare in of captive fishes, but many questions remain. Here, we summarise the current state of research and outline knowledge gaps in the area of physical enrichment, which is a fundamental aspect to improving welfare of captive fishes. To explore the level of research interest this area across time we conducted a series of surveys, using the number of papers published per year as a metric. These surveys highlight that work on fish welfare, while representing a relatively low proportion of fish research overall, is increasing rapidly. For species that are of aquaculture importance or used commonly as laboratory subjects, we show a positive relationship between general research interest and number of welfare‐related papers. However, for many, particularly relatively less studied, species the proportion of papers on enrichment remains low, with a slower increase compared to welfare‐related papers in general. In terms of common metrics used to quantify fish welfare, there is a reliance on growth and behaviour, with scope for inclusion and combination of a more comprehensive range of reproducible measures. We finish by highlighting recent progress, promising areas for future research and suggestions for advances in this area.

First-year evaluation of a campus-wide, cross-disciplinary scholarly writing development program supported by a center for biomedical research excellence (COBRE).

Scholarly publications are important indicators of research productivity and investigator development in Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBREs). However, no information is available to describe implementation and evaluation of writing development programs within COBREs. Therefore, this paper aimed to evaluate the first year of a campus-wide COBRE-supported writing program. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design (QUAN + QUAL) was used. All writing program participants were invited to complete post-participation surveys, and a subgroup was selected using purposive sampling to complete individual semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize survey data, and qualitative content analysis was employed to analyze interview data. Self-determination theory served as the theoretical framework by which themes were developed and interpreted. Professional staff, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty from all academic ranks (n = 29) participated in the writing program during its first year. Survey respondents (n = 18, response rate 62%) rated social support (89%), group accountability (89%), hearing group members' writing goals (78%), receiving group advice (67%), and setting a weekly writing schedule (56%) as beneficial program components. Participants rated program benefits such as breaking away from other responsibilities, staying on task with writing goals, and receiving social support as most beneficial. During interviews, participants (n = 14) described five major themes related to the benefits received: 1) belonging to a community of writers; 2) managing writing-related emotions; 3) improved productivity; 4) establishing helpful writing habits; and 5) improved motivation for scholarly writing. This first-year programmatic evaluation demonstrates the writing program's effectiveness as a campus-level development resource supported by a research center. Both survey and interview data affirmed that participants perceived autonomy, competence, and relatedness were supported through participation in the writing program. Participants placed particular emphasis on the writing program's successful development of a community of scholarly writers.

Outcomes of integrated knowledge translation: A comparative, multi-country case study

Abstract Background Integrated knowledge translation (IKT) seeks to establish continuous relationships between researchers and knowledge users, in particular decision-makers, to enhance evidence-informed decision-making in public health and healthcare. IKT is, however, difficult to evaluate and outcome evaluations remain scarce. The German-African Collaboration for Evidence-based Healthcare and Public Health in Africa (CEBHA+) undertook research on IKT and non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda. Over six years, we implemented an IKT approach and evaluated it according to a pre-defined programme theory. Methods We conducted qualitative interviews and surveys with CEBHA+ researchers and their decision-making partners at two stages (3/2020-2/2021; 9/2022-5/2023) and collected IKT-related documents (see protocol: https://rdcu.be/dyfBP). Transcripts and documents were analysed using qualitative content analysis and surveys were analysed descriptively, with subsequent integration, cross-case analysis, and revision of the programme theory. Results We collected 92 IKT-related documents; and 55 researchers and decision-makers participated in surveys, focus groups or interviews. Proximal outcomes were collaborative research; capacity-building related to research skills and evidence use; and relationship-building, establishing trust and partnerships. Intermediate outcomes were changes in attitudes and knowledge; decision-makers became attuned to research and researchers increased their understanding of the decision-making context, and developed a vision for research impact. Distal outcomes were the production of applicable research and the consideration of evidence by decision-makers. High opportunity costs associated with IKT implementation constituted unintended effects. Conclusions Our study presents rich, theory-informed insights into IKT outcomes, based in particular on the experience of researchers implementing the CEBHA+ IKT approach. Key messages • A multi-country research collaboration offered an opportunity to examine IKT implementation and investigate proximal, intermediate, and distal IKT outcomes based on a pre-defined programme theory. • Beyond our initial conceptualisation, the IKT approach was linked to researchers developing a vision for ‘research impact’ and gaining a better understanding of the decision-making context.

Methods to optimize optical sensing of biotic plant stress – combined effects of hyperspectral imaging at night and spatial binning

In spatio-temporal plant monitoring, optical sensing (including hyperspectral imaging), is being deployed to, non-invasively, detect and diagnose plant responses to abiotic and biotic stressors. Early and accurate detection and diagnosis of stressors are key objectives. Level of radiometric repeatability of optical sensing data and ability to accurately detect and diagnose biotic stress are inversely correlated. Accordingly, it may be argued that one of the most significant frontiers and challenges regarding widespread adoption of optical sensing in plant research and crop production hinges on methods to maximize radiometric repeatability. In this study, we acquired hyperspectral optical sensing data at noon and midnight from soybean (Glycine max) and coleus wizard velvet red (Solenostemon scutellarioides) plants with/without experimentally infestation of two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). We addressed three questions related to optimization of radiometric repeatability: (1) are reflectance-based plant responses affected by time of optical sensing? (2) if so, are plant responses to two-spotted spider mite infestations (biotic stressor) more pronounced at midnight versus at noon? (3) Is detection of biotic stress enhanced by spatial binning (smoothing) of hyperspectral imaging data? Results from this study provide insight into calculations of radiometric repeatability. Results strongly support claims that acquisition of optical sensing data to detect and characterize stress responses by plants to detect biotic stressors should be performed at night. Moreover, the combination of midnight imaging and spatial binning increased classification accuracies with 29% and 31% for soybean and coleus, respectively. Practical implications of these findings are discussed. Study results are relevant to virtually all applications of optical sensing to detect and diagnose abiotic and biotic stress responses by plants in both controlled environments and in outdoor crop production systems.