A forward diversity index

Abstract

We introduce an indicator to measure the diffusion of scientific research. Consistent with Stirling's 3-factor diversity model, the diffusion score captures not only variety and balance, but also disparity among citing article cohorts. We apply it to benchmark article samples from six 1995 Web of Science subject categories (SCs) to trace trends in knowledge diffusion over time since publication. Findings indicate that, for most SCs, diffusion scores steadily increase with time. Mathematics is an outlier. We employ a typology of citation trends among benchmark SCs and correlate this with diffusion scores. We also find that self-cites do not, in most cases, significantly influence diffusion scores.

Lessons From 10 Years of Nanotechnology Bibliometric Analysis

“…8 Another outcome involved the ability to track different strategic approaches for small and medium-sized corporate entry into nanotechnology: one with a more research orientation and a second focused more on product development and patenting. 9 We used this information about research and companies to delve into several specific nanoenabled application areas:  An energy technology (Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells --DSSCs)  A biomedical technology (Nano-Enabled Drug Delivery --NEDD), reaching into study of its roles in cancer treatment, and further into brain diseases  A general purpose technology (GPT) -graphene  Applications of nanotechnology in the building construction sector. Our analyses of these application areas suggest that the path to adoption of nano-enabled commercial applications is not smooth.…”

Global maps of science based on the new Web-of-Science categories

“…An additional routine enables the user to measure Rao-Stirling diversity as an index of the interdisciplinarity in the samples under study (cf. Carley and Porter 2012; Leydesdorff and Rafols 2011; Porter and Rafols 2009; Rafols et al 2012; Stirling 2007). …”

Analysing Institutions Interdisciplinarity by Extensive Use of Rao-Stirling Diversity Index

“…In complement to the measure of the diversity of sources, the range of disciplines impacted by publications is another aspect. A diffusion score based on the diversity of citing is usefully benchmarked with interdisciplinarity of sources or integration score [16, 26]. …”