Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Scientometric portraits of recognized scientists: a structured literature review

  • Published:
Scientometrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of scientometric portraits is to recognize prominent scholars, inspire others, and guide those who dedicate their lives to scientific advancement. This study presents the results of a structured literature review of 110 publications that developed scientometric portraits of 91 recognized scientists. Findings indicate that scientometric portraits are a growing topic in library & information science, scientometrics, and discipline-specific venues. Since 2010, the number of publications devoted to creating scientometric portraits has been growing steadily, reaching approximately seven works per year by 2019. 139 authors of scientometric portrait papers roughly fall into two categories of researchers: the majority, who have only contributed once, and a smaller group who have written many portraits and frequently cooperated with others. 65% of all scholars described in the portraits are Indian nationals. This reveals a great interest among Indian scholars in promoting domestic research. We recommend that authors of future scientometric portraits publish their work in discipline-specific outlets as such venues may better reach their target audience, focus on underrepresented disciplines, and recognize women scientists. They should also conduct a more comprehensive literature review to integrate previous findings and inform the study’s research methods to discover relevant variables, measures, metrics, and analysis techniques. Producing a scientometric portrait paper should not be considered a bibliometric exercise: the authors should put themselves in place of their readers—for instance, graduate students, academics, and policymakers—and find ways to inform and inspire them. This study also presents an archetype of scholars memorialized in scientometric portraits.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. See https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2021. Only institutions that received QS ranking scores were included in the analysis.

References

  • Ahirwal, A. K., & Pathak, S. K. (2015). Scientometric portrait of Bharat Ratna Professor CNR Rao: A study. International Journal of Engineering & Scientific Research, 3(11), 54–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Albarrán, P., & Ruiz-Castillo, J. (2011). References made and citations received by scientific articles. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 62(1), 40–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Báez-Mendoza, R., & Schultz, W. (2013). The role of the striatum in social behavior. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 7, 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cattell, J. M. (1910). A further statistical study of American men of science. Science, 32(827), 633–648.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, H. M. (1988). Organizing knowledge syntheses: A taxonomy of literature reviews. Knowledge in Society, 1(1), 104–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronin, B. (1984). The citation process: The role and significance of citations in scientific communication. Taylor Graham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronin, B. (1998). Metatheorizing citation. Scientometrics, 43(1), 45–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding, J., Liu, C., & Kandonga, G. A. (2020). Exploring the limitations of the h-index and h-type indexes in measuring the research performance of authors. Scientometrics, 122(3), 1303–1322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumay, J., Bernardi, C., Guthrie, J., & Demartini, P. (2016). Integrated reporting: A structured literature review. Accounting Forum, 40(3), 166–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dutta, B. (2019). Biobibliometric portrait of B.K. Sen: A librarian, information scientist and scientometrician. Malaysian Journal of Library & Information Science, 24(1), 1–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El Aichouchi, A., & Gorry, P. (2018). Paul Hagenmuller’s contribution to solid state chemistry: A scientometric analysis. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 262, 156–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falagas, M. E., Ierodiakonou, V., & Alexiou, V. G. (2008). At what age do biomedical scientists do their best work? Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 22(12), 4067–4070.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garfield, E. (1965). Can citation indexing be automated? In M. E. Stevens, V. E. Giuliano, & L. B. Heilprin (Eds.), Proceedings of the Symposium on Statistical Association Methods for Mechanized Documentation (pp. 189–192). National Bureau of Standards.

  • Grimaldi, M., & Cricelli, L. (2020). Indexes of patent value: A systematic literature review and classification. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 18(2), 214–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gumpenberger, C., Glänzel, W., & Gorraiz, J. (2016). The ecstasy and the agony of the altmetric score. Scientometrics, 108(2), 977–982.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gustin, B. H. (1973). Charisma, recognition, and the motivation of scientists. American Journal of Sociology, 78(5), 1119–1134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imhausen, A. (2018). The cultural context of (mathematical) experts in Ancient Egypt. In A. Jones & L. Taub (Eds.), The Cambridge history of science: Ancient science (pp. 101–119). Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kalyane, V. L., & Devarai, R. S. (1994). Informetrics on C.S. Venkata Ram. In T. V. Prafullachandra, V. K. Venkatappaiah, & C. P. Vashishth (Eds.), New horizons in library and information science (pp. 475–478). TR Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalyane, V. L., & Kalyane, S. V. (1993). Scientometric portrait of Vinodini Reddy. Journal of Information Sciences, 4(1), 25–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalyane, V. L., & Samanta, R. K. (1995). Informetrics on K. Ramiah. In A. A. N. Raju, L. S. Ramaiah, N. L. Rao, & T. V. P. Chandra (Eds.), New vistas in library and information science: Papers in honour of Professor GVSL Narasimha Raju (pp. 565–578). Vikas Publishing House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelchtermans, S., & Veugelers, R. (2011). The great divide in scientific productivity: Why the average scientist does not exist. Industrial and Corporate Change, 20(1), 295–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keshava, Chennakumaraswamy, A. N., Lokeshappa, H., & Ganjihal, G. A. (2010). A scientometric portrait of Prof. S.S. Kubakaddi. PEARL - A Journal of Library and Information Science, 4(1), 21–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koley, S., & Sen, B. K. (2015). Quantitative analysis of books by Bharat Ratna Professor C. N. R. Rao. Annals of Library and Information Studies, 62(2), 33–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koley, S., & Sen, B. K. (2016). Biobibliometric portrait of V L Kalyane, a stellar biobibliometrician. Annals of Library and Information Studies, 63(3), 161–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lechuga, V. M., & Lechuga, D. C. (2012). Faculty motivation and scholarly work: Self-determination and self-regulation perspectives. Journal of the Professoriate, 6(2), 59–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linnenluecke, M. K., Marrone, M., & Singh, A. K. (2020). Conducting systematic literature reviews and bibliometric analyses. Australian Journal of Management, 45(2), 175–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald, S. (2011). The skewed few: People and papers of quality in management studies. Organization, 18(4), 467–475.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Manjunath, M., & Ramesha. (2015a). Bio-bibliometric profile of Sir. C.V. Raman as seen through Google Scholar. International Journal of Library and Information Studies, 5(3), 41–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manjunath, M., & Ramesha. (2015b). Sir. CV Raman’s contribution to physics literature: A study using SAO/NASA astrophysics data system. Journal of Indian Library Association, 5(3), 36–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Massaro, M., Dumay, J., & Garlatti, A. (2015). Public sector knowledge management: A structured literature review. Journal of Knowledge Management, 19(3), 530–558.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Massaro, M., Dumay, J., & Guthrie, J. (2016a). On the shoulders of giants: Undertaking a structured literature review in accounting. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 29(5), 767–801.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Massaro, M., Handley, K., Bagnoli, C., & Dumay, J. (2016b). Knowledge management in small and medium enterprises: A structured literature review. Journal of Knowledge Management, 20(2), 258–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsson, P., Baranczewski, P., Giacomini, K. M., Andersson, T. B., Palm, J., Palm, K., Charman, W. N., & Bergström, C. A. S. (2021). A tribute to professor Per Artursson—scientist, explorer, mentor, innovator, and giant in pharmaceutical research. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 110(1), 2–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee, B. (2013). A scientometric profile of Prof. Lalji Singh as seen through Web of Science and Scopus. Annals of Library and Information Studies, 60(3), 195–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunn, J. (2018). Egyptian medicine. In A. Jones & L. Taub (Eds.), The Cambridge history of science: Ancient science (pp. 120–130). Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Palvia, P., Benitez, J., Liang, T.-P., & Chau, P. Y. K. (2020). Tribute to Professor Edgar H. Sibley and his contributions to the IS discipline. Information & Management, 57(5), 103321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paoloni, M., Coluccia, D., Fontana, S., & Solimene, S. (2020). Knowledge management, intellectual capital and entrepreneurship: A structured literature review. Journal of Knowledge Management, 24(8), 1797–1818.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parker, J. N., Allesina, S., & Lortie, C. (2013). Characterizing a scientific elite (B): Publication and citation patterns of the most highly cited scientists in environmental science and ecology. Scientometrics, 94(2), 469–480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parker, J. N., Lortie, C., & Allesina, S. (2010). Characterizing a scientific elite: The social characteristics of the most highly cited scientists in environmental science and ecology. Scientometrics, 85(1), 129–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pouchard, M. (2020). John B. Goodenough’s role in solid state chemistry community: A thrilling scientific tale told by a French chemist. Molecules, 25(24), 6040.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prakasan, E., Kalyane, V., & Kumar, V. (2009). Sustained impact of publications of C.V. Raman. Scientometrics, 78(1), 77–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priem, J., Taraborelli, D., Groth, P., & Neylon, C. (2010). Altmetrics: A manifesto. Retrieved October 26, 2010, from http://altmetrics.org/manifesto

  • Randolph, J. (2009). A guide to writing the dissertation literature review. Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, 14, 13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ray, P. P. (2018). Multifaceted creativity of Satyajit Ray: A bibliometric study. Library Herald, 56(4), 515–530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ray, P. P., & Sen, B. K. (2012). Rabindra Sangit (songs of Rabindranath Tagore): A bibliometric study. SRELS Journal of Information Management, 49(4), 343–358.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ray, P. P., & Sen, B. K. (2019). Paintings and drawings of Rabindranath Tagore: A bibliometric study. Annals of Library and Information Studies, 66(1), 16–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rochberg, F. (2018). Science and ancient Mesopotamia. In A. Jones & L. Taub (Eds.), The Cambridge history of science: Ancient science (pp. 7–28). Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz-Castillo, J., & Costas, R. (2014). The skewness of scientific productivity. Journal of Informetrics, 8(4), 917–934.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz-Castillo, J., & Costas, R. (2018). Individual and field citation distributions in 29 broad scientific fields. Journal of Informetrics, 12(3), 868–892.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sangam, S. L., & Savanur, K. (2010). Eugene Garfield: A scientometric portrait. Collnet Journal of Scientometrics and Information Management, 4(1), 41–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schultz, W. (2015). Neuronal reward and decision signals: From theories to data. Physiological Reviews, 95(3), 853–951.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seglen, P. O. (1992). The skewness of science. Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 43(9), 628–638.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sen, S. K., & Gan, S. K. (1990). Biobibliometrics: Concept and application in the study of productivity of scientists. International Forum on Information and Documentation, 15(3), 13–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Serenko, A. (2013). Meta-analysis of scientometric research of knowledge management: Discovering the identity of the discipline. Journal of Knowledge Management, 17(5), 773–812.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serenko, A. (2021). A structured literature review of scientometric research of the knowledge management discipline: A 2021 update. Journal of Knowledge Management, 25(8), 1889–1925.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serenko, A., & Dumay, J. (2017). Citation classics published in knowledge management journals. Part III: Author survey. Journal of Knowledge Management, 21(2), 330–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silver, J. K., Blauwet, C. A., Bhatnagar, S., Slocum, C. S., Tenforde, A. S., Schneider, J. C., Zafonte, R. D., Goldstein, R., Gallegos-Kearin, V., Reilly, J. M., & Mazwi, N. L. (2018). Women physicians are underrepresented in recognition awards from the Association of Academic Physiatrists. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 97(1), 34–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M. J., Weinberger, C., Bruna, E. M., & Allesina, S. (2014). The scientific impact of nations: Journal placement and citation performance. PLoS ONE, 9(10), e109195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soete, L., Schneegans, S., Eröcal, D., Angathevar, B., & Rasiah, R. (2016). Section 1: A world in search of an effective growth strategy. In UNESCO (Ed.), UNESCO science report: Towards 2030 (pp. 21–55). UNESCO Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swain, N. K. (2009). A scientometric portrait of Professor M. P. Satija. In M. P. S. Jagatāra, I. V. Malhan, & T. Kaur (Eds.), Library and information science in digital age: Essays in honour of Professor M.P. Satija (pp. 40–62). Ess Ess Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Truex, D., Cuellar, M., Takeda, H., & Vidgen, R. (2011). The scholarly influence of Heinz Klein: Ideational and social measures of his impact on IS research and IS scholars. European Journal of Information Systems, 20(4), 422–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, G., Prester, J., Roche, M., Schryen, G., Benlian, A., Paré, G., & Templier, M. (2021). Which factors affect the scientific impact of review papers in IS research? A scientometric study. Information & Management, 58(3), 103427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, X., Turney, P., Lemire, D., & Vellino, A. (2015). Measuring academic influence: Not all citations are equal. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 66(2), 408–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuckerman, H. (1977). Scientific elite. Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Visiting International Scholar Award, Macquarie University, 2019-2020.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Business and IT, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, ON, L1G 0C5, Canada

    Alexander Serenko

  2. Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance, Centre for Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Finance Business School, Macquarie University, 4 Eastern Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia

    Mauricio Marrone

  3. Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance, Business School, Macquarie University, 4 Eastern Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia

    John Dumay

  4. Center for Corporate Reporting, Finance & Tax, Nyenrode Business Universiteit, Straatweg 25, BG Breukelen, 3621, Netherlands

    John Dumay

  5. Aalborg University Business School, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7K, Aalborg Øst, 9220, Denmark

    John Dumay

Authors
  1. Alexander Serenko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mauricio Marrone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. John Dumay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexander Serenko.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Serenko, A., Marrone, M. & Dumay, J. Scientometric portraits of recognized scientists: a structured literature review. Scientometrics 127, 4827–4846 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-022-04466-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-022-04466-8

Keywords

Mathematics Subject Classification

JEL Classification

Search

Navigation