Journal article · Preprint article
A quantitative analysis of indicators of scientific performance
Northeastern University. Department of Physics. Center for Complex Network Research, Boston, MA
Biocomplexity, Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of Science, Københavns Universitet
Theoretical high energy, astroparticle and gravitational physics, Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of Science, Københavns Universitet
Condensing the work of any academic scientist into a one-dimensional indicator of scientific performance is a difficult problem. Here, we employ Bayesian statistics to analyze several different indicators of scientific performance. Specifically, we determine each indicator’s ability to discriminate between scientific authors.
Using scaling arguments, we demonstrate that the best of these indicators require approximately 50 papers to draw conclusions regarding long term scientific performance with usefully small statistical uncertainties. Further, the approach described here permits statistical comparison of scientists working in distinct areas of science.
| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Springer Netherlands |
| Year: | 2008 |
| Pages: | 369-390 |
| Journal subtitle: | An International Journal for All Quantitative Aspects of the Science of Science, Communication in Science and Science Policy |
| ISSN: | 15882861 and 01389130 |
| Types: | Journal article and Preprint article |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11192-007-1868-8 |
| ORCIDs: | Jackson, Andrew D. and Lautrup, Benny E. |
