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Growth in the number of references in engineering journal papers during the 1972–2013 period

Author

Listed:
  • Iñaki Ucar

    (Public University of Navarre)

  • Felipe López-Fernandino

    (Public University of Navarre)

  • Pablo Rodriguez-Ulibarri

    (Public University of Navarre)

  • Laura Sesma-Sanchez

    (Public University of Navarre)

  • Veronica Urrea-Micó

    (Public University of Navarre)

  • Joaquín Sevilla

    (Public University of Navarre)

Abstract

The number of references per paper, perhaps the best single index of a journal’s scholarliness, has been studied in different disciplines and periods. In this paper we present a four decade study of eight engineering journals. A data set of over 70,000 references was generated after automatic data gathering and manual inspection for errors. Results show a significant increase in the number of references per paper, the average rises from 8 in 1972 to 25 in 2013. This growth presents an acceleration around the year 2000, consistent with a much easier access to search engines and documents produced by the generalization of the Internet.

Suggested Citation

  • Iñaki Ucar & Felipe López-Fernandino & Pablo Rodriguez-Ulibarri & Laura Sesma-Sanchez & Veronica Urrea-Micó & Joaquín Sevilla, 2014. "Growth in the number of references in engineering journal papers during the 1972–2013 period," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 98(3), pages 1855-1864, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:98:y:2014:i:3:d:10.1007_s11192-013-1113-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-013-1113-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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