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Impactful scientists have higher tendency to involve collaborators in new topics

Author

Listed:
  • An Zeng

    (a School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;)

  • Ying Fan

    (a School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;)

  • Zengru Di

    (a School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;)

  • Yougui Wang

    (a School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;)

  • Shlomo Havlin

    (b Department of Physics, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel)

Abstract

Scientific collaboration is an important feature of modern science. The topics involved in scientific collaborations have been associated with creativity and the impact of research. Yet, how scientists involve collaborators in their research topics remains poorly understood. We reveal here the general tendency of collaborators to be involved in a single topic. The tendency is stronger for the collaborators of productive scientists, but weaker for the collaborators of impactful scientists. We further identify the past research productivity and impact of collaborators as key factors affecting their probability to join a new topic of a given scientist. The analysis framework is general and applicable for understanding collaborations in various other systems, such as film-making, patent design, and software development.

Suggested Citation

  • An Zeng & Ying Fan & Zengru Di & Yougui Wang & Shlomo Havlin, 2022. "Impactful scientists have higher tendency to involve collaborators in new topics," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 119(33), pages 2207436119-, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nas:journl:v:119:y:2022:p:e2207436119
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