Communication, Professional Networks and Productivity

Abstract

The publication of findings is the ultimate outcome and purpose of scientific research. As the chief end product of a scientist’s work (Price, 1965a), publication carries greater meaning and value in the professional life of scientists. Publication is widely used as a measure of research productivity (Eslami et al., 2013, for instance). The publication productivity of scientists seems to be sustained by collaboration as seen in the previous chapters. Reprising the connection between productivity and collaboration, Price very succinctly notes that ‘the most prolific man is also by far the most collaborating’ (1986: 126). The most productive authors collaborate frequently and are inclined to collaborate with highly productive authors (Katz and Martin, 1997).