Two-dimensional mapping of scientific production of nations in the fields of physics and astronomy

Abstract

The quantity and quality of scientific production in the fields of physics and astronomy over a period of 16 years (1996–2012) was studied. The level of analysis was national, with the scientific output of 108 countries being analysed. The measurement unit was the number of papers published in peer-reviewed journals, as listed on the Scopus database. Modified versions of the number of publications (Pm) and citations (Cm) were employed as indicators of quantity and quality, respectively. A two-dimensional method, the Pm-Cm diagram, was adopted to provide a coherent and simultaneous approach to study the positions, rankings, and temporal evolution of countries in the global context. A static approach to studying the Pm-Cm diagram resulted in countries being grouped into five main categories based on average positions. A dynamic approach to analysing the Pm-Cm diagram also resulted in five groups (i.e. when considering the temporal evolution patterns of the countries during the studied years). The rank and temporal-evolution group associated with each country are listed in two tables in this paper. These tables, together with the Pm-Cm diagrams (showing different scales) present a general view of the scientific activity in the field of physics and astronomy for each country. This methodology allows each country’s output to be compared with that of other countries or the world average.