Validity and bias of indicators of international collaboration: A theoretical analysis with an empirical study of Ukraine-Russia-United States and China-United States

Lawrence Smolinsky and Seungwon Yang

Journal of Informetrics, 2024, vol. 18, issue 1

Abstract: We examine three indicators that give a relative measure of collaborations between countries and introduce a fourth indicator. Of the three established indicators, the Asymmetric Observed to Expected Ratio (AOER-indicator) and the symmetric Observed to Expected Ratio (OER-indicator) have received criticism for some specific theoretical situations. The AOER fails as both a meaningful statistic and an indicator. The OER is a meaningful statistic but fails as an indicator. The Relative Intensity of Collaboration (RIC-indicator) is relatively recent measure that is a meaningful standard statistic and passes Rousseau's criterion for an indicator. The new indicator is the Odds Ratio of Collaboration (ORC-indicator). It is a symmetric and meaningful standard statistic that passes Rousseau's criterion for an indicator. We give interpretations for all four indicators to give a systematic comparison that recommends the RIC and ORC. We then compare them in analyzing some specific dynamic developments over a 20-year period: The Ukraine-Russia-United States relationship and the China-United States relationship. We believe the analysis illustrates the value of the RIC, the inadequacies of the AOER, and is interesting analysis of its own accord.

Keywords: Collaborative research; Asymmetric observed to expected ratio; Observed to expected ratio; Odds ratio of collaboration; China-United States relationship; Ukraine-Russia-United States relationship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:infome:v:18:y:2024:i:1:s1751157724000014

DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2024.101488

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