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A new input indicator for the assessment of science & technology research?

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Abstract

Traditional input indicators of research performance, such as research funding, number of active scientists, and international collaborations, have been widely used to assess countries’ publication output. However, while publication in today’s English-only research world requires sound research in readable English, English proficiency may be a problem for the productivity of non-native English-speaking (NNES) countries. Data provided by the Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq) containing the academic profile of 51,223 Brazilian researchers show a correlation between English proficiency and publication output. According to our results, traditional input indicators may fall short of providing an accurate representation of the research performance of NNES developing countries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Science Education Program/Medical Biochemistry Institute/Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco B, Sala B 039, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21941-902, Brazil

    Sonia M. R. Vasconcelos, Martha M. Sorenson & Jacqueline Leta

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  1. Sonia M. R. Vasconcelos
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  2. Martha M. Sorenson
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  3. Jacqueline Leta
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Correspondence to Jacqueline Leta.

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Vasconcelos, S.M.R., Sorenson, M.M. & Leta, J. A new input indicator for the assessment of science & technology research?. Scientometrics 80, 217–230 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-008-2082-z

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