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Scientometric assessment of Saudi publication productivity in computer science in the period of 1978-2012

Hend S. Al-Khalifa (Department of Information Technology, College of Computer and Information Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

International Journal of Web Information Systems

ISSN: 1744-0084

Article publication date: 10 June 2014

546

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze Saudi scientific output in the field of computer science in Web of Science database, covering the years 1978 through 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved analyzing 998 publications in terms of the publication count and its growth, citation, share of international collaboration, research areas and researchers’ productivity.

Findings

The results show that the number of papers produced in computer science field has only increased after year 2007; this is because Saudi universities have applied a catch-up strategy to increase its research output. Also, our study reveals that the publication performance of Saudi scientists in computer science was domestic and suffers from low international visibility. Only two universities took the lead in the production of computer science research. Furthermore, computer science research trends in Saudi Arabia focused on engineering, followed by mathematics and telecommunications.

Originality/value

Studies on international academic publication productivity in the Middle East, particularly in Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, are rarely found. In fact, bibliometric studies on Saudi researchers in the field of computer science are not available. Therefore, the originality of this study resides in being the first study to measure publication productivity of Saudi researchers in the field of computer science.

Keywords

Citation

S. Al-Khalifa, H. (2014), "Scientometric assessment of Saudi publication productivity in computer science in the period of 1978-2012", International Journal of Web Information Systems, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 194-208. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWIS-01-2014-0001

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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