Towards a More Realistic Citation Model: The Key Role of Research Team Sizes

Area of Science:

• Bibliometrics
• Scientific Communication
• Astronomy Research

Background:

• Existing citation models often assume uniform direct citation probability, which is unrealistic.
• Citation mechanisms include direct and indirect routes (learning from other papers' references).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a new citation model incorporating team size.
• To explain empirical citation distributions in astronomy using a novel two-mechanism approach.

Main Methods:

• Proposed a two-mechanism citation model where direct citation probability is proportional to team size.
• Tested the model against empirical citation data from astronomy articles across different time periods.

Main Results:

• The team-size dependent model accurately reproduced observed citation distributions in astronomy.
• The model suggests intrinsic citation capacity correlates with team size, enhancing initial paper visibility.

Conclusions:

• Team size is a significant factor influencing a paper's citation capacity and initial visibility.
• The proposed model offers a more realistic explanation for citation patterns than uniform probability assumptions.
• A correlation exists between the number of authors and the number of citations, explained by team size's impact on visibility.