Bibliometric Analysis — as Library Activity in the Field of Science Popularization

Abstract

The authors offer their view of popularization of science making the results of bibliometric analysis accessible via the library’s website. Traditionally, research scientists want to know if their scientific publications have been referenced in reputable bibliographic databases or find out how many citations the paper generated over a given time period, or how to get the H-index, or explore more current, related research on their topic. The focus of the study was to identify information, which is not related to one user, but is required by the recipients overall. Working through the data, helps to perform ongoing evaluation of scientific institution activity. The survey was conducted among specialists of the Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences” (PSCBR RAS). After studying the information needs of scientists, there were identified the inquires noted in the largest number of questionnaires: the dynamics of publication activity sorted by year, the most productive authors, international cooperation, the most cited and funded scientific trends. The material was gathered from the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases, and the results of the analysis were posted on the website of the Central Library of the Pushchino Scientific Center (Department of the Library for Natural Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences).The analysis was carried out within the framework of the PSCBR RAS works. The time period for bibliometric research is 2016—2020. During that period, the research activity of scientists of the PSCBR RAS covered 387 scientific areas. Bibliometric analysis showed 1139 editions where the works of researchers of the PSCBR RAS were published. The authors identified 30 the most popular journals on the subject areas of the PSCBR RAS, in which 35% of all articles were concentrated. In 2016—2020, scientists of PSCBR RAS together with foreign colleagues from 95 countries prepared 171 publications. According to the WoS CC and Scopus indicators, 2834 authors were registered with the affiliation of the PSCBR RAS.With respect to science communication, this paper presents findings aimed at demonstrating the achievements and contributions made by the scholars from PSCBR RAS on a global stage, thereby motivating young scientists for research activities in the Center, and getting attention in mass media.Library staff members who perform this job are able to show the highest professional performance — to acquaint readers with the practical potential of bibliometric analysis: to help find journals most appropriate for user’s research; to provide information on the authors of publications based on the analysis of the number of citations of these papers for future possible joint project, to determine scientific directions that receive the most financial support. The libraryʼs website assumes the role of an external interface to demonstrate the achievements of the PSCBR RAS.