Publish (in a group) or perish (alone): the trend from single- to multi-authorship in biological papers

João Carlos Nabout (), Micael Rosa Parreira, Fabrício Barreto Teresa, Fernanda Melo Carneiro, Hélida Ferreira Cunha, Luciana Souza Ondei, Samantha Salomão Caramori and Thannya Nascimento Soares
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João Carlos Nabout: Universidade Estadual de Goiás
Micael Rosa Parreira: Universidade Estadual de Goiás
Fabrício Barreto Teresa: Universidade Estadual de Goiás
Fernanda Melo Carneiro: Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Unidade Universitária de Iporá
Hélida Ferreira Cunha: Universidade Estadual de Goiás
Luciana Souza Ondei: Universidade Estadual de Goiás
Samantha Salomão Caramori: Universidade Estadual de Goiás
Thannya Nascimento Soares: Universidade Federal de Goiás

Scientometrics, 2015, vol. 102, issue 1, No 20, 357-364

Abstract: Abstract The global number of papers in different areas has increased over the years. Additionally, changes in academic production scenarios, such as the decrease in the relative number of single-authored (SA) papers, have been observed. Thus, the aims of this study are to assess the trend of SA papers in four subareas of biology and also to estimate the year when 0.1 % of papers in these subareas will be SA (considering two adjusted models). The subareas investigated were Ecology, Genetics, Zoology and Botany. Our hypothesis is that all subareas show a decay in the number of SA papers. However, this pattern is more pronounced in subareas that were originally interdisciplinary (Genetics and Ecology) than in disciplinary areas (Zoology and Botany). In fact, SA papers have declined over the years in all subareas of biology, and according to the best model (Akaike Criteria), the first area that will have 0.1 % SA papers is Genetics, followed by Ecology. A partial regression indicates that the decrease in SA papers can be related to the increase in the number of authors and number of citations, suggesting the greater scientific impact of interdisciplinary research. However, other variables (e.g., political, linguistic and behavioral) can contribute to the decrease in SA papers. We lastly conclude that the number of SA papers in all subareas of biology in the coming years might continue decreasing and becoming rare, perhaps even to the point of extinction (to use a very common term in biology). In addition, all subareas of biology have become more interdisciplinary, combining the knowledge of various authors (and perhaps authors from different areas). The consequence of this approach is increasingly collaborative work, which may facilitate the increased success of the group.

Keywords: Ecology; Genetics; Zoology; Botany; Non-linear models (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11192-014-1385-5

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