A new approach to analyzing patterns of collaboration in co-authorship networks: mesoscopic analysis and interpretation.

Autor/inn/en	Velden, Theresa; Haque, Asif-ul; Lagoze, Carl
Titel	A new approach to analyzing patterns of collaboration in co-authorship networks: mesoscopic analysis and interpretation.
Quelle	In: Scientometrics, (2010) 1, S.219-242 PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0138-9130
DOI	10.1007/s11192-010-0224-6
Schlagwörter	Network analysis; Co-author networks; Scientific communication; Chemistry
Abstract	Abstract This paper focuses on methods to study patterns of collaboration in co-authorship networks at the mesoscopic level. We combine qualitative methods (participant interviews) with quantitative methods (network analysis) and demonstrate the application and value of our approach in a case study comparing three research fields in chemistry. A mesoscopic level of analysis means that in addition to the basic analytic unit of the individual researcher as node in a co-author network, we base our analysis on the observed modular structure of co-author networks. We interpret the clustering of authors into groups as bibliometric footprints of the basic collective units of knowledge production in a research specialty. We find two types of coauthor-linking patterns between author clusters that we interpret as representing two different forms of cooperative behavior, transfer-type connections due to career migrations or one-off services rendered, and stronger, dedicated inter-group collaboration. Hence the generic coauthor network of a research specialty can be understood as the overlay of two distinct types of cooperative networks between groups of authors publishing in a research specialty. We show how our analytic approach exposes field specific differences in the social organization of research.
Erfasst von	OLC
Update	2023/2/05