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Using content analysis to investigate the research paths chosen by scientists over time

Author

Listed:
  • Chiara Franzoni

    (DISPEA, Politecnico di Torino)

  • Christopher L. Simpkins

    (College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Baoli Li

    (College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology)

  • Ashwin Ram

    (College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology)

Abstract

We present an application of a clustering technique to a large original dataset of SCI publications which is capable at disentangling the different research lines followed by a scientist, their duration over time and the intensity of effort devoted to each of them. Information is obtained by means of software-assisted content analysis, based on the co-occurrence of words in the full abstract and title of a set of SCI publications authored by 650 American star-physicists across 17 years. We estimated that scientists in our dataset over the time span contributed on average to 16 different research lines lasting on average 3.5 years and published nearly 5 publications in each single line of research. The technique is potentially useful for scholars studying science and the research community, as well as for research agencies, to evaluate if the scientist is new to the topic and for librarians, to collect timely biographic information.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Franzoni & Christopher L. Simpkins & Baoli Li & Ashwin Ram, 2010. "Using content analysis to investigate the research paths chosen by scientists over time," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 83(1), pages 321-335, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:83:y:2010:i:1:d:10.1007_s11192-009-0061-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-009-0061-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Conor O'Kane & James Cunningham & Vincent Mangematin, 2012. "Underpinning Strategic Behaviours and Posture of Principal Investigators in Transition/Uncertain Environments," Working paper serie RMT - Grenoble Ecole de Management hal-00794944, HAL.
    2. Anna D’Auria & Marco Tregua & Tiziana Russo Spena & Francesco Bifulco, 2017. "Multiple Context of Innovation: Insights from Literature," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 14(02), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Conor O'Kane & James Cunningham & Vincent Mangematin, 2012. "Underpinning Strategic Behaviours and Posture of Principal Investigators in Transition/Uncertain Environments," Working Papers hal-00794944, HAL.

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