Comparative Analysis of Web of Science and Scopus in Academic Publications
The paper, "A Tale of Two Databases: The Use of Web of Science and Scopus in Academic Papers," presents a detailed comparative analysis of the usage of Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus citation databases in academic publications from 2004 to 2018. The paper's primary focus is to evaluate whether Scopus is genuinely challenging the dominance of WoS and how researchers across various countries and domains engage with these databases.
Key Findings
Database Utilization Dynamics
The analysis identifies a significant increase in the mention of both WoS and Scopus in academic papers, though WoS continues to maintain a slight advantage. The number of papers referring to WoS grew from 102 in 2004 to 4932 in 2018, while Scopus-related papers rose from 2 in 2005 to 3252 in 2018. This rapid growth underscores the increasing reliance on these citation databases for research validation and bibliometric analysis.
Geographic and Economic Contributions
During the 15-year span, contributions from over 140 countries were documented. Developed economies such as the USA, UK, and Canada remain primary contributors to both WoS and Scopus-related research. However, emerging economies like China, Brazil, and Iran have made significant contributions, albeit with varying patterns. China leads in WoS usage, whereas Iran shows a preference for Scopus.
Disciplinary Engagement
Both databases are extensively used across a wide array of knowledge domains. Health and medical sciences dominate the use of citation databases, particularly in categories like Medicine, General & Internal, and Oncology. Information Science and Library Science also remains a focal point for bibliometric studies involving WoS and Scopus.
Numerical Highlights
- China contributed to 30.6% of WoS-related papers and only 5.7% of Scopus-related papers.
- The USA leads Scopus-related publications with 24%, followed closely by the UK and Australia.
- Meta-analysis emerges as a dominant field, with 50.1% of WoS and 39.1% of Scopus-related papers involving meta-analytic studies.
Implications and Future Development
From a practical standpoint, this paper illuminates the evolving dynamics between WoS and Scopus as researchers increasingly rely on these tools for meta-analysis and bibliometric analysis. The rising importance of Scopus highlights a shift towards diversified database use, influenced by factors like data availability, quality, and user experience.
Theoretical implications point to the significance of WoS and Scopus in shaping research patterns and the potential for Scopus to continue gaining traction in previously WoS-dominated domains. The paper suggests further inquiry into database application across different research contexts and potential policy implications.
Conclusion
The comparative paper illustrates a shifting landscape in the use of citation databases, with Scopus increasingly challenging WoS's dominance. While developed economies remain prominent in database-related research, significant contributions from emerging economies indicate an evolving global research environment. The findings will be crucial for policy makers, academic institutions, and researchers in understanding and adapting to the changing trends in database utilization.
Limitations and Further Research
The methodology's reliance on topic field searches and exclusion of full-text analysis may have omitted certain relevant records. Additionally, deeper exploration into the specifics of database-related studies and their implications across diverse fields remains a promising avenue for future research. Further studies might examine policy documents and evaluation practices to understand comprehensively the utility and influence of citation databases.