Productivity and Collaboration in Scientific Publications on Criminology

Abstract

The literature on criminology has grown significantly in recent years. To characterize the scientific production of the journals in the area, we have studied papers published between 2005 and 2009 period in journals classified in the category Criminology & Penology of the Journal Citation Reports. An index of coauthorship networks and institutional and countries collaboration and a network to link the journals with the authors who have published three or more works in them was also developed. 4,696 papers were analyzed, with an average of 2.24 signatures per work. Ninety-three groups of researchers have been identified. 62.84% of the documents have been signed in collaboration by two or more authors. 43.99% of the documents are affiliated to an institution. The fact that criminology has a marked national character would require a specific study of the scientific journals published in each geographical area.