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Microwave effect: analyzing citations from classic theories and their reinventions—a case study from a classic paper in aquatic ecology—Brooks & Dodson, 1965

Author

Listed:
  • Rayanne Barros Setubal

    (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/UFRJ
    Fundação de Apoio à Escola Técnica/FAETEC)

  • Daniel Silva Farias

    (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/PPGE-UFRJ)

  • Clarice Casa Nova

    (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/UFRJ)

  • Anna Carolina Fornero Aguiar

    (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/PPGE-UFRJ)

  • Tauany Aparecida Silva Santa Rosa Rodrigues

    (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/PPGE-UFRJ)

  • Rafael Teixeira Santos Lira

    (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/PPGCIAC-UFRJ)

  • Anderson Luiz Vargas Ferreira

    (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/PPGE-UFRJ)

  • Mariana Rodrigues Angelo de Oliveira

    (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/PPGE-UFRJ)

  • Luiza Oliveira Costa

    (Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/PPGEE-UERJ)

  • Sorana Karenina Antônia Francisquini Lima

    (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/UFRJ)

  • Reinaldo Luiz Bozelli

    (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro/UFRJ)

Abstract

Citations play an essential role in creating a knowledge network and recognizing relevant contributions during the process of scientific production. Despite the citations establishing the links between new evidence and the preceding ideas, classic articles may not be cited adequately. Our aim is to identify if classic studies are cited over time and if the recent studies are producing new knowledge or just “giving a new look” to pre-existing ideas. We evaluated whether the theory proposed by Brooks and Dodson (Science 150(3692): 28–35, 1965)-Size-efficiency Hypothesis was referenced in studies on the subject since its publication. Through the analysis of 1480 scientific papers, we quantified—from 1965 to 2018—the citation index (CI) of the original article considering the number of articles produced on the topic per year and the number of citations to other authors (intermediaries). We observed that 60% of the papers and 59% of the intermediaries do not refer to the original article. The CI was low and negatively affected by the age of the original article, showing that the frequency of citation was lower than the rate by which articles on the topic were published. There is a tendency to cite more recent articles and articles that corroborate their own findings. Our data illustrated the microwave effect, in which pre-existing ideas and theories are “reheated” by more recent articles where little of the original idea is modified. The microwave effect can create the impression of scientific advancement when there is little being added to the knowledge already produced.

Suggested Citation

  • Rayanne Barros Setubal & Daniel Silva Farias & Clarice Casa Nova & Anna Carolina Fornero Aguiar & Tauany Aparecida Silva Santa Rosa Rodrigues & Rafael Teixeira Santos Lira & Anderson Luiz Vargas Ferre, 2022. "Microwave effect: analyzing citations from classic theories and their reinventions—a case study from a classic paper in aquatic ecology—Brooks & Dodson, 1965," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(8), pages 4751-4767, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:127:y:2022:i:8:d:10.1007_s11192-022-04459-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-022-04459-7
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