Untangle the Characteristics of Disruptive and Consolidating Citations of Nobel‐winning Papers

Abstract

ABSTRACTScientific breakthroughs have the potential to revolutionize the course of research and shape the trajectory of scientific knowledge. This study investigates the characteristics of Disruptive Citing Papers (DCP) and Consolidating Citing Papers (CCP) associated with Nobel‐winning scientific breakthroughs, aiming to provide insights into the mechanisms of knowledge creation and dissemination. By analyzing a dataset of Nobel‐winning papers and their citation networks, we find that Nobel‐winning papers tend to attract a higher proportion of DCP compared to CCP. However, CCP exhibit a higher impact, as evidenced by their citation counts and likelihood of becoming hit papers. Furthermore, DCP are associated with larger research teams, highlighting the collaborative nature of disruptive research, while CCP employ a higher degree of professional language style characterized by shorter titles and specialized jargon. These findings deepen our understanding of the role played by disruptive and consolidating impact in scientific breakthroughs, shedding light on the dynamics of knowledge creation and dissemination in the scientific community. This research contributes to the broader understanding of scientific progress and provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the scientific ecosystem.