Russian Science in the OpenAlex System of Open Scientific Knowledge

Abstract

OpenAlex is an actively developing open access resource and a promising alternative to commercial sources of bibliometric data. It is aimed at supporting open research practices and transforming the information ecosystem of global science. The current study is an analysis of the total array of publications presented on the OpenAlex platform, as well as a more detailed study of Russian researchers’ works indexed in this system of open scientific knowledge. To achieve this goal, information was collected, processed and arranged by years of publication, types and most relevant research topics, publishers, availability of datasets, citation rates (>50), their subject area distribution and other parameters. The study resulted in obtaining ready-made visualized data that made it possible to analyze publications written by Russian researchers in comparison with foreign sources, as well as to find out citation patterns, problems and prospects for science to enter the open science infrastructure. The share of publications by Russian researchers in the total array as of July 1, 2024 was no more than 1% (2,398,923), with a predominance of scientific articles in the flow. However, a significant increase in the number of publications has been recorded in the last two years. It is noted that an effective representation in the growing flow of open data and publications is possible through the popularization of open science ideas among researchers and the integration of Russian resources into the global open access information system. This will improve visibility, increase the impact of research results and citation rate of works, expand the geography of the readership and allow receiving other benefits of open access. The author concludes that OpenAlex can be used as an information resource to search for heterogeneous information and an alternative tool for bibliometric analysis. This is especially important for Russian researchers in the context of limited access to foreign licensed databases.