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- Author or Editor: Maria Escuder x
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Abstract
Ensuing a previous study of Brazilian sciences production for the period 1981–95, health sciences were taken apart for scrutiny. ISI data was obtained in an aggregate format comprising 40 health research fields recording their yearly number of papers, proportion out of the country, proportion out of the field, and impact relative to field. Simple linear regression was used to examine time trends in production and impact of research fields. A complementary variable representing growth trend was computed as the regression slope. Data were then analysed by means of Factor and Correspondence Analysis. Results allowed the production of location maps of research fields so that hierarchy and relationships among them could be examined in the form of geometric distances. It was found that health sciences represent 42% of the Brazilian scientific production and that their trends in both production and impact do not differ from other sciences taken altogether. Measurements of production were found negatively correlated with impact and factor analysis revealed that the major distinction between fields is attributable to production (64% of measurement variations against 19% due to impact). Experimental Biology & Medicine largely exceeds other fields in production, though at ordinary levels of impact. Correspondence analysis refined the study of impact allowing the identification of the best performers as Clinical Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Environmental & Social Medicine, and Radiology & Nuclear Medicine. The information provided can advise national policy makers on science & technology about priorities concerning the improvement of the country's competitiveness.
Abstract
As a corollary of former studies, high performance in Brazilian Management Sciences during the period of 1981 to 1995 is put to scrutiny. Information on the 66 papers registered to this field in the ISI databases for this time interval were retrieved, edited and processed as to elicit patterns.Occurrences of highly cited papers seemed haphazard but the presence of collaborative work consistently emerged as an important driving factor for good performance. International collaboration showed the most expressive impact over chances of citation but any form of collaboration seemed to have some effect, even those represented by single authors with double allegiance. Simple addition of authors, nonetheless, had no effect, and thus collaboration involving authors of common institutional affiliation showed the performance of single authored papers.Cluster analysis allowed the identification of patterns of performance, and groups of best performers showed higher levels of international collaboration. The institutional composition of the clusters is presented.
Abstract
The State of So Paulo plays an important role in national research activities. The Foundation for the Support of Research of So Paulo State (FAPESP) is commissioned to manage funds for these activities. The profile of Brazilian sciences is investigated and contrasted to FAPESP's investments. ISI date relative to years 1981 to 1995 are analysed through multivariate methods (Factor and Cluster Analysis) as to provide weighted ranks of research fields, relationships among them as geometric distances, and group classification. This information is compared to public reports on FAPESP's expenditures. Brazilian scientific production grows at 244 papers/year in the period, and its global share is almost doubled. Impact shows no trend. Best performers are from exact and biological sciences. Though impact varies greatly among research fields, their major distinctive feature is magnitude of production. The six top research fields identified (Physics, Biology & Biochemistry, Clinical Medicine, Engineering, Chemistry, Plant & Animal Sciences) were found to equally be the prime beneficiaries FAPESP's investments. The Brazilian scenario is one of increasing production under an international pattern. This trend is not accompanied by changes in impact. As a corollary, volume of publications rises as an important issue. Public investments from So Paulo State adequately conform this scenario giving reassurance that resouces are not being squandered.
