Visualizing research collaboration in statistical science: A scientometric perspective

Article Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Library Philosophy and Practice

Abstract

Using Sankhyā - The Indian Journal of Statistics as a case, present study aims to identify scholarly collaboration pattern of statistical science based on research articles appeared during 2008 to 2017. This is an attempt to visualize and quantify statistical science research collaboration in multiple dimensions by exploring the co-authorship data. It investigates chronological variations of col laborat ion pattern, nodes and links established among the affiliated institutions and countries of all contributing authors. The study also examines the impact of research collaboration on citation scores. Findings reveal steady influx of statistical publications with clear tendency towards collaborative ventures, of which double-authored publications dominate. Small team of 2 to 3 authors is responsible for production of majority of collaborative research, whereas mega-authored communications are quite low. Country- wi se mapping of research contributions revels that, top five countries have contributed about 66% of the total authors and about 55% of the total affiliated institutions. Indicates few numbers of countries has substantial participation to statistical science research, while large majority has nominal contributions. Of which, USA contributes the most (31%) followed by India, Canada, France and Japan. Result therefore indicates presence of 'sort of 'clique' with dominant foreign coauthors. Further analysis reveals that, unilateral collaboration dominates at the country level whereas at the institution level bilateral collaboration dominates - implies authors from two different institutions of same country are key contributors of this specialty. Indian Statistical Institute (native institute of the source journal) found to be the most productive institution. Study therefore signifies skewed distribution of co-authorship with l imi ted evidence of cross-country collaboration. Furthermore, Google Scholar citation analysis showed that collaboration has significant positive influence on the article impact.

Publication Date

1-1-2019

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