Heinze T, Bauer G. "Characterizing creative scientists in nano-S&T: Productivity, multidisciplinarity, and network brokerage in a longitudinal perspective (Article, English)" SCIENTOMETRICS 70 (3). MAR 2007. p.811-830

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Addresses: thomas.heinze at isi.fhg.de 

TITLE:          Characterizing creative scientists in nano-S&T:
                Productivity, multidisciplinarity, and network brokerage in 
a longitudinal perspective (Article, English)

AUTHOR:         Heinze, T; Bauer, G

SOURCE:         SCIENTOMETRICS 70 (3). MAR 2007. p.811-830 SPRINGER,
                DORDRECHT

ABSTRACT:       While some believe that publication and citation scores
are key predictors of breakthroughs in science, others claim that people 
who work at the intersection of scientific communities are more likely to 
be familiar with selecting and synthesizing alternatives into novel ideas. 
This paper contributes to this controversy by presenting a longitudinal 
comparison of highly creative scientists with equally productive 
researchers. The sample of creative scientists is identified by combining 
information on science awards and nominations by international peers 
covering research accomplishments in the mid-1990s.
Results suggest that it is not only the sheer quantity of publications that 
causes scientists to produce creative pieces of work. Rather, their ability 
to effectively communicate with otherwise disconnected peers and to address 
a broader work spectrum also enhances their chances to be widely cited and 
to develop novel ideas.

AUTHOR ADDRESS: T Heinze, Fraunhofer Inst Syst & Innovat Res, D-76139
                Karlsruhe, Germany