On measuring the relation between social science research activity and research publication

Evidence was uncovered on the varied type of publication used to disseminate social science findings, and on the considerable time intervals involved between funded research activity and the date of publication, that suggests shortcomings in the performance indicators generated by bibliometric methods.

Abstract

Using data from the ESRC Research Activity and Publications Information Database (RAPID), this is a report of an investigation that differs from ‘traditional bibliometrics’. With the aid of a data model that prompts an initial focus on the research project rather than those research publications that are easy to see, evidence was uncovered on the varied type of publication used to disseminate social science findings, and on the considerable time intervals involved between funded research activity and the date of publication. The former suggests shortcomings in the performance indicators generated by bibliometric methods; the latter has important implications for the research evaluation practices of funding bodies. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.