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Representation of Academics from Developing Countries as Authors and Editorial Board Members in Scientific Journals: Does this Matter to the Field of Development Studies?

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Abstract

Patterns of publication in the field of development studies are examined, based on analysis of the affiliations of authors and editorial board members for a sample of 10 ‘well-known’ (Sumner and Tribe, 2009, p. 32) academic journals. Data were collected from the Web of Science (WoS) database for the period 2012–2014 and from journal websites. Some 43 per cent of the authors of the 2112 articles in the sample are located in the USA and UK, 43 per cent are from other developed countries, while only 14 per cent are from authors in developing countries. Of the 329 editorial board members, 62 per cent are located in the UK and the USA, 31 per cent are from other developed countries, while only 9 per cent are located in developing countries. From the perspectives of equity, responsibility and diversity, and in recognition of the endogenous nature of the development process, the field of development studies should make efforts to address this underrepresentation of academics from developing countries as authors and editorial board members.

Des modèles de publication dans le domaine des études de développement sont examinés, fondés sur l’analyse des affiliations des auteurs et des membres de bureau de rédaction pour un échantillon des 10 revues universitaires « réputées ». Des données ont été rassemblées à partir de la base de donnée de « Web of Science » pour la période 2012–2014 et à partir des journaux en ligne. 43 % des auteurs des 2112 articles sont situés aux Etats-Unis et au Royaume-Uni, 43 % sont issus d’autres pays développés, alors que seulement 14 % sont des auteurs de pays en voie de développement. Sur les 329 membres du bureau de rédaction, 62 % sont situés au Royaume-Uni et aux Etats-Unis, 31 % sont issus d’autres pays développés, alors que seulement 9 % sont situés dans des pays en voie de développement. A partir des perspectives d’équité, de responsabilité et de diversité, et dans le respect de la nature endogène du processus de développement, le champ des études de développement devrait aborder cette question.

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Cummings, S., Hoebink, P. Representation of Academics from Developing Countries as Authors and Editorial Board Members in Scientific Journals: Does this Matter to the Field of Development Studies?. Eur J Dev Res 29, 369–383 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-016-0002-2

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