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Publish (in a group) or perish (alone): the trend from single- to multi-authorship in biological papers

Author

Listed:
  • João Carlos Nabout

    (Universidade Estadual de Goiás)

  • Micael Rosa Parreira

    (Universidade Estadual de Goiás)

  • Fabrício Barreto Teresa

    (Universidade Estadual de Goiás)

  • Fernanda Melo Carneiro

    (Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Unidade Universitária de Iporá)

  • Hélida Ferreira Cunha

    (Universidade Estadual de Goiás)

  • Luciana Souza Ondei

    (Universidade Estadual de Goiás)

  • Samantha Salomão Caramori

    (Universidade Estadual de Goiás)

  • Thannya Nascimento Soares

    (Universidade Federal de Goiás)

Abstract

The global number of papers in different areas has increased over the years. Additionally, changes in academic production scenarios, such as the decrease in the relative number of single-authored (SA) papers, have been observed. Thus, the aims of this study are to assess the trend of SA papers in four subareas of biology and also to estimate the year when 0.1 % of papers in these subareas will be SA (considering two adjusted models). The subareas investigated were Ecology, Genetics, Zoology and Botany. Our hypothesis is that all subareas show a decay in the number of SA papers. However, this pattern is more pronounced in subareas that were originally interdisciplinary (Genetics and Ecology) than in disciplinary areas (Zoology and Botany). In fact, SA papers have declined over the years in all subareas of biology, and according to the best model (Akaike Criteria), the first area that will have 0.1 % SA papers is Genetics, followed by Ecology. A partial regression indicates that the decrease in SA papers can be related to the increase in the number of authors and number of citations, suggesting the greater scientific impact of interdisciplinary research. However, other variables (e.g., political, linguistic and behavioral) can contribute to the decrease in SA papers. We lastly conclude that the number of SA papers in all subareas of biology in the coming years might continue decreasing and becoming rare, perhaps even to the point of extinction (to use a very common term in biology). In addition, all subareas of biology have become more interdisciplinary, combining the knowledge of various authors (and perhaps authors from different areas). The consequence of this approach is increasingly collaborative work, which may facilitate the increased success of the group.

Suggested Citation

  • João Carlos Nabout & Micael Rosa Parreira & Fabrício Barreto Teresa & Fernanda Melo Carneiro & Hélida Ferreira Cunha & Luciana Souza Ondei & Samantha Salomão Caramori & Thannya Nascimento Soares, 2015. "Publish (in a group) or perish (alone): the trend from single- to multi-authorship in biological papers," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 102(1), pages 357-364, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:102:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1007_s11192-014-1385-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-014-1385-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ding-wei Huang, 2015. "Temporal evolution of multi-author papers in basic sciences from 1960 to 2010," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 105(3), pages 2137-2147, December.
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    5. de Mesnard, Louis, 2017. "Attributing credit to coauthors in academic publishing: The 1/n rule, parallelization, and team bonuses," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 260(2), pages 778-788.
    6. Stéphane Fay & Sébastien Gautrias, 2015. "A scientometric study of general relativity and quantum cosmology from 2000 to 2012," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 105(1), pages 471-484, October.
    7. Marek Kwiek & Wojciech Roszka, 2022. "Are female scientists less inclined to publish alone? The gender solo research gap," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(4), pages 1697-1735, April.
    8. François Brischoux & Frédéric Angelier, 2015. "Academia’s never-ending selection for productivity," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 103(1), pages 333-336, April.

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