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Research productivity in select psychology journals, 1986-2008
Kevin T Mahoney1, Walter C Buboltz, Barbara Calvert
1Louisiana Tech University, Psychology, Ruston, LA 71202, USA. kmahoney@latech.edu
The Journal of Psychology
|July 13, 2010
Summary
This study analyzed psychological research productivity from 1986-2008 across 17 journals. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked first in institutional research output.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Bibliometrics
- Higher Education Studies
Background:
- Research productivity analysis is a long-standing practice in psychology.
- Previous studies have examined institutional research output, but methodologies vary.
- The American Psychological Association (APA) publishes numerous influential psychology journals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze institutional research productivity in psychology from 1986-2008.
- To compare findings using a replication/extension of a previous method and a new departmental credit system.
- To identify leading institutions in psychological research over a 23-year period.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of articles published in 17 APA journals between 1986 and 2008.
- Implementation of two distinct methodologies for crediting research output.
- A proportional credit system was used for multi-institutional collaborations.
Main Results:
- The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was the top-ranked institution.
- The University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, were ranked second and third, respectively.
- Both consistency and change in research productivity rankings were observed across journals.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive, long-term view of institutional research productivity in psychology.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering departmental contributions alongside institutional output.
- The results offer insights into the evolving landscape of academic research in psychology.
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