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Team size and retracted citations reveal the patterns of retractions from 1981 to 2020

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  • Kiran Sharma

    (BML Munjal University)

Abstract

The growth of the retraction databases reveals the disturbing trend in science and also the rising trend of citations of retracted papers is a serious concern. The objective of the study is to investigate the patterns of retractions through the team size and retracted citations. The publication records of 12,231 retracted papers indexed by Web of Science (WoS) are analyzed to investigate (i) the patterns of retraction associated with collaboration and team size; and (ii) the impact of retracted papers on the papers that are citing the retracted papers (retracted citations). The study demonstrates the collaboration patterns of retracted publications where 61.5% of authors have only one and 24.6% have two retracted papers; however, 2% of authors have more than retracted papers. Also, the temporal evolution of the team size reveals that teams smaller in size have more retractions. The impact of citing retracted papers reveals that 55.2% of retracted papers have been cited at least once. 1/4th of the citations to the retracted papers are self-citations which themselves are retractions. On average 71.4% citations are the non-retracted citations and 28.6% citations are retracted citations which are mostly the self-citations. Last, the variation in average team size and average retracted citations in various research areas (having high retraction) is presented. Retracted publications in high-impact journals are highly cited.

Suggested Citation

  • Kiran Sharma, 2021. "Team size and retracted citations reveal the patterns of retractions from 1981 to 2020," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(10), pages 8363-8374, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:126:y:2021:i:10:d:10.1007_s11192-021-04125-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-021-04125-4
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    3. Prem Kumar Singh, 2023. "Research impact analysis of an institute using Scopus data and its hierarchical order visualization," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 2859-2892, June.

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