The use of bibliometrics in assessments of social scientists

The paper is focused on practical advice for the use of bibliometrics in research assessment in the social sciences. Guidelines are presented from three official sources of advice with a particular focus on individual-level assessments of applications for positions, promotions, and external funding. General problems with applying bibliometrics in evaluations of the social sciences are also discussed, as well as the specific problems with using the Journal Impact Factor and the H-Index. The conclusion is not that bibliometrics should be avoided in research assessment of social scientists. Used with care and competence, bibliometrics can be a valuable extra source of information, but not replace judgement in research evaluation.

Biodiverse neighborhoods: an ex-situ conservation tool

Urban forests are responsible for a lot of benefits, and can be used as a tool to ex-situ conservation of native species. Our study investigated a public urban forest aiming to provide subside to management projects in order to allow the accurate fulfillment of social, aesthetic and ecological functions displayed by trees. Our survey was conducted in 6 public squares and 5 gardens in the Jardins neighborhood. We classified the trees according to their phytogeographic origins and seed dispersal habit. The Shannon-Weaver (H’) index, Simpson’s dominance (D’) and Pielou’s equability (J) were determined. A total of 507 individuals were sampled, located in 12 botanical families and 29 species, and 13 of them were classified as native and 16 as exotic. The family with higher species richness and number of species was Fabaceae (36%). Regarding the seed dispersal syndrome, the most representative was zoochory (52%). The ecological index showed medium species diversity (H’=2.2284), high dominance (D’=0.7899) and medium number of individuals (J) 0.6552. Although the Jardins neighborhood was planned, the urban forest in this area still needs improvement; such as incentive measures that can promote biodiversity and the application of ex-situ conservation.

Keanekaragaman Vegetasi Pohon pada Lahan Pekarangan di Desa Tambakrejo Kecamatan Jombang Kabupaten Jombang

Tambakrejo Village is an urban area located in the Jombang District. Tree vegetation continues to decline; one of the factors is the conversion of the function of yardland to residential areas. Changes in the land area will impact the structure of tree vegetation. This research was conducted by purposive sampling in 4 hamlets. Transects and species were included as random effects using the transect quadrat method (quadrat transect) by purposive sampling with tree size (10x10 m²). The data analysis was done qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative data analysis using vegetation analysis, namely: Importance Value Index (IVI), Dominance (C), and Diversity Index (Ĥ). Strata 3 tree vegetation H’ index in Tambakrejo Village, each hamlet is different, for Tambakberas Hamlet, H’ index value is 3.11%, Gedang Hamlet 2.97%, Nglungu Hamlet 2.91%, and for Petengan Hamlet 2, 89%. Most of the hamlets in Tambakrejo Village fall into medium-level diversity. INP index of Tambakberas Hamlet of 22.59% and lowest 2.07%. Gedang of 27.57% and lowest 2.84%, Nglungu of 19.76%, and lowest 2.86% Petengan of 28.79% and lowest 2.73%, The lowest Important Value Index is due to the transfer of the function of yard land for residential areas.

НАУКОМЕТРИЧНІ ПОКАЗНИКИ ОЦІНЮВАННЯ РЕЗУЛЬТАТИВНОСТІ ДОСЛІДЖЕНЬ НАУКОВИХ УСТАНОВ І ЗАКЛАДІВ ОСВІТИ

У статті розглянуто основні наукометричні показники для оцінювання результативності досліджень наукових установ і закладів освіти та досліджено залежність місця наукових установ і закладів освіти у світових та вітчизняних рейтингах від показників наукометричних баз даних, адже нині наявність закладу в міжнародних рейтингах не лише популяризує заклад, а й надає можливість отримання підвищеного фінансування в цілому, і враховується в конкурсному оцінюванні під час державного або грантового фінансування університетської та академічної науки. Так, серед найзатребуваніших наукометричних показників означено загальну кількість публікацій та h-index (індекс цитувань) –дані, що отримуються з наукометричних баз даних Scopus, Web of Science або ж Google Scholar. Проаналізовано можливості вказаних наукометричних баз та сервісу Бібліометрика української науки (пошук та упорядкування науковців установи за h-index, розподіл учених/публікацій за галузями наук/роками/установами, рейтинг установ за кількістю вчених, h-index яких більше певного числа та ін.) для наукових установ і закладів освіти України загалом та вибірково. Визначено, що у Times Higher Education World University Rankings для визначення місця закладу/установи використовують показник «продуктивність дослідження» (кількість публікацій, опублікованих в академічних журналах, проіндексованих наукометричною базою даних Scopus на одного вченого, масштабовано відповідно до розміру закладу та унормовано за темою) складає 6% від загального внеску визначення позиції; та «цитування» (вплив дослідження) – 30%); у QS World University Rankings – «цитування» (середня кількість цитувань у наукометричній базі даних Scopus за 5 років на викладача, унормована згідно галузі) – 40 % внеску; у Transparent Ranking – цитування у наукометричній базі даних Google Scholar; у Ranking Web або Webometrics використовують дані, отримані Transparent Ranking (внесок наукометричних показників – 50 %); в українських рейтингах – Топ-200 Україна місце закладу визначається за показниками Scopus, у Консолідованому рейтингу вишів України значна частка залежить від h-index Scopus. Наведено дані щодо місць українських закладів вищої освіти в означених рейтингах. Зроблено висновок про необхідність виваженої, свідомої і відповідальної політики наукових установ та закладів освіти щодо даних у профілях працівників задля досягнення найвищих результатів.

Devising an individually oriented method for selection of scientific activity subjects for implementing scientific projects based on scientometric analysis

The main factors influencing the choice of individual subjects of the scientific activity or potential partners and executors for scientific and educational projects were analyzed. The specific features of choosing project executors of different categories were indicated. The functional responsibilities of project participants in accordance with the project structure were described. The individually oriented method for choosing subjects of scientific activity as executors of scientific and educational projects was developed, taking into account the productivity of their scientific activities in the past and considering the structure of projects. To determine the merits of the subjects of scientific activity, which are included in the relevant scientific subject spaces, it is necessary to apply the procedure of their productivity assessment. In addition, it is necessary to predict a change in productivity in the future based on retrospective data for this subject. Next, it is required to solve the multi-criteria problem of the choice among the subjects of scientific activity who are quite productive in the opinion of the project manager. The use of the developed method reduces the subjective impact on making a decision regarding the choice of project executors. This is due to the fact that they are chosen by automated calculation of scientometric indicators of subjects, guided only by open sources of information. The individually oriented method for the selection of subjects of scientific activity was verified on the example of the formation of three applications of research projects. As a result, the average percentage of scientists who meet the requirements of project managers for each scientific subject space was about 46.55 %. The percentage of those involved in the project from those who were selected is about 24.07 %. The probability of cooperation is higher among those who have an average H-index.

Structure of riparian vegetation in Bongkasa Pertiwi Village, Abiansemal District, Badung Regency – Bali

Ayung river is the longest river in Bali. The middle part of the river is frequently utilized as rafting for tourism, such as in Bongkasa Pertiwi Village, Abiansemal District, Badung Regency – Bali. To preserve the river’s ecological function, the information of riparian vegetation as the dynamic component in river is highly required. This research aimed to study the structure of riparian vegetation in Bongkasa Pertiwi Village. The plot method was used and the study site was divided into three stations. Each station was composed by three replications with four plot variations: trees (20 x 20 m), poles (10 x 10 m), saplings (5 x 5), and herbs-shrubs (2 x 2 m). The data was analysed using vegetation analysis that completed with Importance Value (IV), Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H’), Index of Dominancy (C), and Index of Evenness (E). This study found that the structure of riparian vegetation in Bongkasa Pertiwi Village was in good condition which was indicated by the high abundance of local tree species. The floristic composition of riparian vegetation comprised by 18 species of trees, 18 species of poles, 21 species of saplings, and 29 species of herbs and shrubs. Cocos nucifera, Pterospermum javanicum, Bischofia javanica, Cananga odorata, Elaeocarpus serratus, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Coffea canephora, and Nephelium lappaceum were the species with the highest Importance Value (IV). The floor vegetation in form of herbs and shrubs was dominated by Sphaegneticola trilobata, Oplismenus burmanni, and Diplazium esculentum. Based on the Diversity Index (H’), Index of Dominancy (C), and Index of Evenness (E), diversity of riparian vegetation in Bongkasa Pertiwi Village was classified as medium category, without any dominated species, and the vegetation composition was equivalent.

Composition of the Current Academic Radiation Oncology Workforce in Comprehensive Cancer Centers

PURPOSE: The landscape of the profession of academic radiation oncology is constantly changing. We sought to determine the demographic makeup of the current academic radiation oncology workforce. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Internet web site searches of the 51 National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) were conducted in September 2019. The Scopus database was subsequently searched in December 2019 to ascertain the h-index for each radiation oncologist. Geographic location was economically stratified (New York, California, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Washington DC) as previously reported. Race and binary sex were attributed by authors using publicly available information. Univariate analysis involved the chi-square test; a multivariable model considered several factors including rank and sex. RESULTS: Of 993 radiation oncologists at CCCs, 53.6% are junior faculty, 24.8% associate professors, and 21.7% full professors. The average radiation oncologist at a CCC has been a physician for 19.7 (standard deviation = 11.3) years; 4.7% (47/993) are under-represented minorities. 24.6% of men and 15.5% of women were full professors, a statistically significant difference ( P = .001). Of the 51 department chairs, 11.8% are women and 5.6% are under-represented minorities. There are fewer female than male program directors in the most economically stratified locations ( P = .02). The mean h-index for all faculty is 17.6 (standard deviation = 16.9), and significantly differs between junior faculty (8.21), associate professors (18.46), and full professors (40.05; P < .0001). It also differs between men (19.35) and women (14.11). On multivariable analysis, sex, academic rank, and a secondary advanced degree were independently significant correlates of h-index. CONCLUSION: Among academic radiation oncologists at CCCs, under 5% are under-represented minorities, men are significantly over-represented among senior faculty, and women have significantly lower h-indices than men.