A scientometrics approach to schizophrenia research in India: an analysis of publications output during 2002-11.

OBJECTIVES: This study analyses the research output of India in schizophrenia research during 2002-11 on several parameters including the growth, rank and global publications share, citation impact, share of international collaborative papers, contribution of major collaborative partner countries, contribution of various subject-fields, contribution and impact of most productive institutions and authors, media of communication and characteristics of high cited papers. METHODS: The Scopus Citation Database has been used to retrieve the data for 10 years (2002-11) by searching the keywords schizophrenia research in the combined Title, Abstract and Keywords fields. RESULTS: Among the top 20 most productive countries in schizophrenia research, India ranks at 15th position (with 882 papers) with a global publication share of 1.58% and an annual average publication growth rate of 21.80% during 2002-11. Its citation impact per paper was 3.60 international collaborative publications share was 26.98% during 2002-11. CONCLUSIONS: Concludes that India needs to increase both the quantity and quality of research and also increase the international collaborative research, besides strengthening and modernizing its research infrastructure. There is need to treat schizophrenia as a priority area in the current and future national S & T plans of India.

Epilepsy Research in India: A Scientometric Analysis of Publications Output during 2002-11.

This study analyses the research output of India in epilepsy research during 2002-11 on several parameters including the growth, rank and global publications share, citation impact, share of international collaborative papers, contribution of major collaborative partner countries, contribution of various subject-fields, contribution and impact of most productive institutions and authors, media of communication and characteristics of high cited papers. The Scopus Citation Database has been used to retrieve the data for 10 years (2002-11) by searching the keywords "epilepsy research" in the combined Title, Abstract and Keywords fields. Among the top 20 most productive countries in epilepsy research, India ranks at 11(th) position (with 1550 papers) with a global publication share of 2.88% and an annual average publication growth rate of 15.31% during 2002-11. Its global publication share has increased over the years, rising from 2.06% in 2002 to 4.65% during 2011. Its citation impact per paper was 2.77 during 2002-11, which decreased from 3.48 during 2002-06 to 2.41 during 2007-11. Its international collaborative publications share was 12.32% during 2002-11, which decreased from 12.45% during 2002-06 to 12.26% during 2007-11. Concludes that India needs to increase both the quantity and quality of research and also the need to share research data and stimulate national and international collaborative research, which will increase both the quantity and quality of research in epilepsy. There is a need to develop a national program on epilepsy as a part of national health plan, besides suggesting the funding agencies to establish a more ambitious funding program into the causes, prevention, cure and care of epilepsy. There is a need to build capacity at all levels of human resources for the management of epilepsy.

Mapping of asthma research in India: A scientometric analysis of publications output during 1999-2008.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes the research output of India in asthma during the period from 1999 till 2008. It analyzes the growth, rank and global publications share, citation impact, share of international collaborative papers, contribution of major collaborative partner countries and contribution of various subject fields. It also analyzes the characteristics of most productive institutions, authors and high-cited papers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SCOPUS database has been used to retrieve the data on publication output in asthma research. RESULTS: India ranks 15(th) position among the top 23 countries in asthma research, with its global publication share of 1.27% (862 papers), registering an average citation per paper of 3.43 and achieved an h-index of 33 during 1999-2008. CONCLUSION: Indian research output on asthma is quite low in the global context as reflected from its publication output per thousand population (0.001) and its world publication share (1.27%) during 1999-2008. Also, the impact and quality of Indian research is low compared to select developed and developing countries.

A bibliometric analysis of malaria research in India during 1998-2009.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyses the research output of India in malaria research in national and global context, as reflected in its publications output during 1998-2009. METHODS: SCOPUS Citation database has been used to retrieve the publication data, which has been further analysed on several parameters including its growth, rank and global publications share, citation impact, overall share of international collaborative papers and share of major collaborative partners and patterns of research communication in most productive journals. The publications output, impact and collaborative publication share of India is also compared with South Africa, Brazil and China. RESULTS: Indian scientists together have published 2786 papers in malaria research during 1998-2009 and registered an average citation per paper of 3.49. The country ranks 4th among the top 20 most productive countries in malaria research with its global publications share of 6.47% during 1998-2009. CONCLUSION: Quantum of Indian research output in malaria research is high but its citations per paper is low compared to select developing countries, which can be improved by investing more funds in international and national collaborative research projects, as well as increasing the participation of researchers in such projects.

A scientometric analysis of Indian research output in medicine during 1999-2008.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes the research activities of India in medicine during 1999-2008, based on the total publication output, its growth rate, quality of papers published and rank of India in the global context. Patterns of international collaborative research output and the major partner countries of India are also discussed. This study also evaluates the research performance of different types of Indian medical colleges, hospitals, research institutes, universities and research foundations and the characteristics of published literature in Indian and foreign journals. It also analyzes the medical research output by disease and organs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The publication data on medicine has been retrieved by using SCOPUS database. RESULTS: India holds 12th rank among the productive countries in medicine research consisting of 65,745 papers with a global publication share of 1.59% and registering a growth rate of 76.68% for the papers published during 1999-2003 to 2004-2008. CONCLUSION: High quality research in India is grossly inadequate and requires strategic planning, investment and resource support. There is also a need to improve the existing medical education system, which should foster research culture.

Mapping of Indian neuroscience research: a scientometric analysis of research output during 1999-2008.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyses the research output in India in neurosciences during the period 1999-2008 and the analyses included research growth, rank, global publications' share, citation impact, share of international collaborative papers and major collaborative partner countries and patterns of research communication in most productive journals. It also analyses the characteristics of most productive institutions, authors and high-cited papers. The publication output and impact of India is also compared with China, Brazil and South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Scopus Citation database was used for retrieving the publications' output of India and other countries in neurosciences during 1999-2008. RESULTS: India's global publications' share in neurosciences during the study period was 0.99% (with 4503 papers) and it ranked 21 st among the top 26 countries in neurosciences. The average annual publication growth rate was 11.37%, shared 17.34% of international collaborative papers and the average citation per paper was 4.21. India was far behind China, Brazil and South Korea in terms of publication output, citation quality and share of international collaborative papers in neurosciences. CONCLUSION: India is far behind in terms of publication output, citation quality and share of international collaborative papers in neurosciences when compared to other countries with an emerging economy. There is an urgent need to substantially increase the research activities in the field of neurosciences in India.

Mapping of neuroscience research: a quantitative analysis of publications output of China, 1999-2008.

BACKGROUND: Neuroscience is one of the most active research fields in many countries including China since 1970. The Chinese neuroscientists are playing an ever growing and important role in IBRO activities for the development of worldwide cooperation in Brain research. PURPOSE: The main objective of this study is to analyze the research performance of China in neurosciences in national and global context, as reflected in its publication output during 1999-2008. METHODS: This study is based on the Chinese publication data in neurosciences retrieved from the Scopus Citation database for the 10 years (1999-2008). Several parameters including total research output, its growth, rank and global publication share, citation impact, share of international collaborative papers and major collaborative partner countries and patterns of research communication in most productive journals were studied. RESULTS: China's world ranking improved to 8(th) position in 2008. The cumulative publication output of China accounts for 39.69 % share of international collaborative papers during 1999-2008. Chinese authors in neuroscience field together contributed 794 papers, with an average of 49.63 papers per author. CONCLUSION: The top 49 highly cited papers in neurosciences from China had scored higher impact with 126.73 citations per paper. These 49 high-cited papers have appeared in 25 journals and are affiliated to 32 Chinese institutions.