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Evaluating research output through life work citation counts

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Abstract

The total number of citations to all previous publications (“the life work” has often been used to evaluate the research output of target units such as persons or departments. However, a study of a sample of Dutch full professors of sociology shows that simple counting of citations may lead to unreliable results. Dependent upon recency of publication period, large variations in rankings and citation scores were observed. Other pitfalls of using life work citation counts were discussed, as well as how to avoid them. For fine-tuned assessment of research output, longitudinal analysis seems to be called for.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leyden Institute for Social Policy Research (LISPOR), University of Leyden, Stationsplein 242, 2312 AR, Leyden, (The Netherlands)

    A. J. Nederhof

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  1. A. J. Nederhof
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Nederhof, A.J. Evaluating research output through life work citation counts. Scientometrics 7, 23–28 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02020138

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02020138

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