Research productivity in communication: An analysis, 1915–2001

This study is a replication of previous studies on the productivity of scholars who have been published in 24 journals found previously in the Matlon index. Between 1990 and 2001, the researchers found that the number of articles needed to place one in the top 100 most prolific researchers has grown from 15 to 23. The mode and median number of articles published during a career stands at one. The vast majority of researchers on the list teach in departments or schools which offer a doctoral program. The programs with the highest productivity during the period, 1915–2001 have been West Virginia, Michigan State, Georgia, Kent State, and Wisconsin. Highly productive scholars during the period are from West Virginia, Missouri, Texas Christian, Arizona, Wisconsin‐Milwaukee, Washington State, and Michigan State. Comparisons and contrasts are discussed beginning with one of the first studies undertaken in 1989.

Key concepts:

• Matlon index
• program productivity
• highly productive scholars
• Top 100