PUBLICATIONS AND CITATIONS (BIBLIOMETRIC)
11.2 OVERVIEW OF MALAYSIAN-AUTHORED PUBLICATIONS
An overview of information about Malaysian publication status in S&T can be observed from the figures and tables provided below (Figure 11.1, Figure 11.2, Table 11.1)
Figure 11.1: Publication and Citation of Scientific Papers in Malaysia (1909 – Feb 2009)
Note: Publication consists of Articles, Conference Papers, Reviews & Notes Source: Scopus
The total number of Malaysian-authored science & technology publications as indexed in Scopus from the earliest date of 1909-February 2009 was 54,124 (the total number from 2001-February 2009 is 22,276).
Accordingly, the number of citations received by Malaysian-authored publications was 127,914 for the same period of time. This indicates that, on average, Malaysian authors have received 2.4 citations per publication throughout the publishing period. Citation counts often being used to determine the impact of a paper on the body of knowledge it represents. However, not all papers are cited by many authors, and the work of one author can be cited by many other works. It is not surprising that seven percent of the authors contribute to 60 percent of the total publications and citations (Lotka’s Law in Bibliometric).
Figure 11.2: Publication of Scientific Papers in Malaysia by Year (2001 – 2008)
Source: Scopus
Malaysian Science & Technology Indicators 2008 Report Malaysian Science & Technology Indicators 2008 Report Table 11.1: Summary Table of Publication Growth Rate of Malaysia (2001 – 2008)
Year Number of Publications Growth Rate (%)
2001 1,177 -
2002 1,236 5.0
2003 1,662 34.5
2004 2,384 43.4
2005 2,728 14.4
2006 3,593 31.7
2007 4,245 18.1
2008 4,826 13.7
Figure 11.2 shows the pattern of Malaysian-authored publications in Malaysia from 2001 to 2008. Table 11.1 provides the growth rate of S&T publications per year. Over the years, an increasing pattern can be observed, with significant increase of 43% in 2004. However, fluctuations in the publication rate also occurred with a considerable big gap each year. Year 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2008 have recorded lower publication rates, as compared to year 2003, 2004 and 2006. This indicates the inconsistency in research activities in S&T throughout the years.
11.2.1 Publications by IHLs in Malaysia
The figure and table below provides the distribution of publications by public IHLs from 2001 to 2008.
An increasing pattern can be observed throughout the reporting years for all IHLs with UM, USM, UPM, UKM, and UTM leading the figures.
Figure 11.3: Publication of scientific papers in Malaysia by Public Educational Institutions (2001 – 2008)
Note: Publication consists of Articles, Conference Papers, Reviews & Notes Source: Scopus
Chapter 1 Chapter 1
Table 11.2: Publication of Scientific Papers in Malaysia by Public Educational Institutions (2001 – 2008)
Institutions Year
Total 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
UM 300 302 383 515 598 691 787 852 4,428
USM 264 239 367 459 537 694 762 991 4,313
UPM 211 233 274 356 388 549 618 749 3,378
UKM 160 180 206 350 364 525 620 779 3,184
UTM 36 81 77 185 195 280 333 381 1,568
UiTM 26 18 25 67 93 125 154 185 693
IIUM 9 14 36 61 58 135 156 201 670
UMS 16 11 25 44 52 69 124 98 439
UNIMAS 34 29 40 35 38 67 70 69 382
UniMAP - - - 16 60 57 133
UUM 3 6 10 11 19 22 31 27 129
UMT 2 6 8 11 10 11 37 43 128
UTeM - - - 42 18 60
UTHM - 1 - 2 14 10 21 18 66
UMP 1 - - - - 1 11 22 35
University of Malaya (UM) has produced the highest number of publications in S&T. From the period of 2001 to 2008, Scopus has indexed a number of 4,428 publications from UM, which consists of articles, conference papers, reviews & notes. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) secures the second place with a total of 4,313 publications, followed closely by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) with a total of 3,378 publications, and UKM and UTM. Although the volume of S&T publications seems quite low for other public IHLs, the ratio between the number of publications and the S&T staffs can be much bigger for others.
Figure 11.4: Publication of scientific papers in Malaysia by Private Educational Institutions (2001 – 2008)
Note: Publication consists of Articles, Conference Papers, Reviews & Notes Source: Scopus
Malaysian Science & Technology Indicators 2008 Report Malaysian Science & Technology Indicators 2008 Report Table 11.3: Publication of Scientific Papers in Malaysia by Private Educational Institutions
(2001 – 2008)
Institutions Year
Total 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
MMU 35 64 125 199 235 301 323 302 1,584
UNITEN 12 14 10 30 45 56 59 97 323
UTP - 4 4 14 11 33 113 120 299
IMU 6 18 24 28 46 46 60 53 281
UTAR 2 4 4 6 9 22 25 41 113
AIMST - 1 16 11 13 10 13 28 92
MUST - 1 4 6 12 9 20 10 62
UNISEL - - - 4 5 10 11 5 35
UniKL - - - 7 1 5 3 7 23
UNITAR - - - - 1 3 4 5 13
In order to obtain a much wider view on the strength of learning institutions in Malaysia, comparisons of publications between private higher institutions is also important. For this reason, 10 private institutions had been selected for comparisons. From 2001 to 2008, 1,584 publications had been indexed in Scopus under the name of Multimedia University of Malaysia (MMU). The university is doing extremely well by leading all other private institutions far behind. Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) came in second with 323 publications, and followed by Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) with 299 publications. Many private institutions are considered young and progressing, and their performances are yet to improve in time.
11.2.2 Publications by Government Research Institutions
Figure 11.5: Publication of Scientific Papers in Malaysia by Government Research Institutes (2001 – 2008)
Note: Publication consists of Articles, Conference Papers, Reviews & Notes Source: Scopus
Chapter 1 1 PUBLICATIONS AND CITATIONS (BIBLIOMETRIC)
Chapter 1 1
PUBLICATIONS AND CITATIONS (BIBLIOMETRIC)
Table 11.4: Publication of Scientific Papers in Malaysia by Government Research Institutes (2001 – 2008)
Institutions Year
Total 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
MPOB 41 46 73 118 168 248 372 325 1,391
RRIM 34 33 65 100 149 226 357 311 1,275
SIRIM 12 9 18 29 40 77 102 101 388
FRIM 15 17 26 35 37 45 55 49 279
IMR 26 26 17 19 47 29 28 28 220
MINT 21 8 13 18 14 25 28 13 140
MARDI 7 5 10 11 11 31 13 24 112
MIMOS - 1 2 4 1 1 3 3 15
PORIM 6 4 1 2 - 1 1 - 15
Government Research Institutions (GRI) also contributed significantly to the development of S&T in Malaysia. Their publications in Scopus are considered large enough to mark their importance in knowledge generations within the S&T fields. Figure 11.5 shows the output published by the government research institutions (GRI’s) that are indexed in Scopus. For this study, only 9 research institutions had been selected for comparisons. The overall distribution indicates that Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) is ahead of other agencies in total publications (1,391) from the period of 2001 to 2008. Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) followed closely at the second place with 1,275 publications. The number of publications seems to decrease in 2008 for many GRIs. Publications from MPOB were found peaked in 2007 (372) before dropped by 12.6% in the following year. The same goes to RRIM where the volume of publications peaked in 2007 (357), an increase of 58% compared to the previous year before decreased to 12.9% (311) in 2008. The drop in total publications may be due to the drop in the public support during the fiscal year 2007.
11.2.3 Publications by S&T Subject Fields
Figure 11.6: Percentage of Scientific Publication in Malaysia by Subject Fields (1909 – Feb 2009)
Source: Scopus
Malaysian Science & Technology Indicators 2008 Report Malaysian Science & Technology Indicators 2008 Report Figure 11.6 shows the publication of scientific papers in Malaysia by subject fields for the period of 1909
to February 2009. The report indicates that the field of medicine has been the leader in contributing towards S&T publications in Malaysia. This is followed by engineering, biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, agricultural and biological sciences, physics and astronomy, chemistry, and etc. This pattern of publications by subject fields indicates that the direction of S&T in Malaysia is more towards medical sciences, engineering, biotechnology and agriculture-based research.
Table 11.5: Publication of Scientific Papers in Malaysia by Subject Fields (1909 – Feb 2009)
Subject Publications
(1909 – Feb 2009)
Publications (2001-Feb 2009)
Medicine 9,711 4,652
Engineering 7,355 6,011
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular
Biology 5,046 3,235
Agricultural and Biological Sciences 4,636 2,642
Physics and Astronomy 4,370 3,313
Chemistry 3,466 1,881
Materials Science 3,303 2,400
Computer Science 3,056 2,819
Environmental Science 2,282 1,350
Chemical Engineering 1,964 1,497
Immunology and Microbiology 1,808 NA
Pharmacology, Toxicology and
Pharmaceutics 1,332 NA
Mathematics 1,307 NA
Earth and Planetary Sciences 1,304 NA
Energy 870 NA
Multidisciplinary 729 NA
Decision Sciences 332 NA
Veterinary 329 NA
Neuroscience 256 NA
Health Professions 237 NA
Dentistry 237 NA
Nursing 194 NA
Total 54,124 29,800
Note: Publication consists of all document types Source: Scopus
Table 11.5 shows the distribution of publications for all 22 fields of research indexed in Scopus, and top ten fields throughout the duration of 2001 to Feb. 2009. The information from the table reveals that the trend in research and publications in Malaysia seems to divert from medical science to engineering and from biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology to other fields such as computer science, and physic and astronomy.
Chapter 1 Chapter 1
11.2.4 Countries that Collaborated with Malaysia-Based Author
The interdependent research relationships between authors from different countries can enable both entities to sustain growth in their areas. Research collaboration can also strengthen knowledge transfer and flow from experts in the more developed countries to a developing country such as Malaysia.
Therefore, another way of measuring the strength in publication of Malaysia is by monitoring collaboration between Malaysia-based authors with authors from different countries.
Figure 11.7: Countries that Collaborated with Malaysia-Based Authors Sorted by Total Number of Publications (2001 – Feb 2009)
Note: Publication consists of Articles, Conference Papers, Reviews & Notes Source: Scopus
Figure 11.17 shows the number of collaborations that occur between Malaysian-authors and foreign experts from different countries from 2001 to February 2009. Collaboration between United Kingdom (UK), Japan, and United States, were among the highest so far, with Malaysian-based authors. Researchers from new economic power in Asia, India and China also have been working closely with Malaysian- based authors in producing publications. Collaborations between the two sides have produced a total of 1,390 and 1,249 publications within the same period of time. In the ASEAN region, Malaysian researchers have also established a good bonding with academicians from neighboring countries, namely Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. Such collaborations have produced 609, 546 and 389 publications respectively.
11.2.5 Publications in High Impact Journal
About 161 journals and conferences have been retrieved from the published articles, with the Malaysian- based author affiliations, of which 72 journals have impact factors calculated with a maximum factor of 3.52 and a minimum factor of 0.16. Impact factors are calculated based on the total number of citations from articles published in a journal within two years period divided by the total number of articles published in that particular journal within the same period. Total Malaysian-based publications produced in these impact journals are 3,928 with a shared percentage of 18% from total publications (22,276) produced from 2001 – Feb. 2009. Figure 11.8 shows the percentage distribution of high impact journals according to different level of impact factor. The finding indicates the low focus given by the Malaysian authors in publishing in high impact journals.
Malaysian Science & Technology Indicators 2008 Report Malaysian Science & Technology Indicators 2008 Report Figure 11.8 Percentage Distribution of Publication in Impact Journals
Source: Thompson JCR 2007
Figure 11.9: Quantity of Papers Published in High Impact journal (2001 – Feb 2009)
Sources: Scopus
Table 11.6: Publications in Impact Journals
Journal No. of Publications Impact Factor
Journal of Power Sources 35 3.521
Journal of Membrane Science 39 3.442
Separation and Purification Technology 36 2.497
Food Chemistry 107 2.433
Journal of Natural Products 23 2.418
Phytochemistry 20 2.417
Sensors and Actuators B Chemical 18 2.331
Bioresource Technology 49 2.18
European Polymer Journal 20 2.113
Aquaculture 36 2.081
Five selected journals with impact factors 2.0 onwards are shown in Figure 11.9 above. On examining the figure, it can be observed that a good number of publications in S&T from Malaysia have been widely accepted for publication at many high impact journals. However, given the large number of total publications (22,276 articles) by Malaysian-based authors, the number of publications in high impact journals is still considered low. The distribution of articles in top 10 high impact journal (from the 161 journal analyzed) can be found in Table 11.6.
Chapter 1 1 PUBLICATIONS AND CITATIONS (BIBLIOMETRIC)
Chapter 1 1
PUBLICATIONS AND CITATIONS (BIBLIOMETRIC)
11.2.6 Publication by Individual Authors or Scientists
Analysis of individual authors provides the list of 159 authors with the highest published articles of 859 and the lowest articles of 31 (see appendix) with a total of 9,532 number of publications. From the total, about one third of the authors have produced about 60% of the total publications. Figure 11.10 below shows the distribution of top ten authors and the number of articles published under their names from 2001 to February 2009.
Figure 11.10: Publication of Scientific Papers in Malaysia by Individual Scientist (2001 – Feb 2009)
Note: Publication consists of Articles, Conference Papers, Reviews & Notes Source: Scopus
Based on Figure 11.10 above, Ng Seik Weng of Universiti Malaya (UM) has produced the highest number of publications. The award winner of Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF) prize 2000 secure the top place with 859 published articles. On the other hand, Fun Hoong Kun of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), who was awarded the most productive scientist in Malaysia for the period 1955 to 2002 (Bibliometric Study 2003), came close at second place with 777 of his publications indexed in Scopus.
Other individual authors are found following far behind from these two authors.