Skip to main content

The distribution of citations from nation to nation on a field by field basis — A computer calculation of the parameters

Abstract

Following the methodology established byPrice, this paper analyzes the empirical evidence of citation matrices. Using the data cleaned and tabulated by Computer Horizons, Inc. from the Science Citation Index data banks, it is shown that the non-diagonal elements of the square citation matrices can be accounted for very satisfactorily by assigning each nation a characteristic output and input coefficient in each field measured; the ratio of these coefficients provides a measure of quality. Deviations from this simple model give measures of particular linkage strengths between nations showing some evidence of preferences and avoidances that exist for reason of language, social structure, etc. It is also shown that the diagonal data can be accounted for by the measurable phenomenon that each nation seems to publish partly for the international knowledge system and party for its own domestic purposes. Thus, three parameters and a cluster map can parsimoniously describe the citation data within the limits of random error.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Notes and References

  1. Science Indicators 1974, National Science Board, Washington, DC, GPO 038-000-00253-8, 1974, 157–161.

  2. D. de S. PRICE, “The Analysis of Scientometric Matrices for Policy Implications”,Scientometrics, 3 (1981) NO. 1, 47–54; and the Analysis of Square Matrices of Scientometric Transactions,Scientometrics 3 (1981) No. 1, 55–63.

    Google Scholar 

  3. M. CARPENTER,International Science Indicators-Development of Indicators of International Scientific Activity Using the Science Citation Index 1979 CHI Computer Horizons, Inc., 1050 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Burke, C.E., de S. Price, D. The distribution of citations from nation to nation on a field by field basis — A computer calculation of the parameters. Scientometrics 3, 363–377 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02017574

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02017574

Keywords

  • Index Data
  • Science Citation
  • Citation Index
  • Knowledge System
  • Science Citation Index