Elsevier's SciVerse Scopus Data Plays Key Role in Kyoto University's Large Scale Analyses of Japanese Research Output

TOKYO, March 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Japan's 21st Century COE Program for accelerating research performance proves effective

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced the completion Kyoto University's study on research activities and competencies at universities across Japan. The study was based on analyses of data driven from Elsevier's multidisciplinary abstract and citation database, SciVerse Scopus.

Measuring the effect of the Japanese government's 21st Century Center of Excellence (COE) Program, a large research funding scheme investing in research activities at universities across Japan, the study concludes that in five of eight research fields studied, research funded by the COE program excels in terms of both quantity and quality of output.

Using data from SciVerse Scopus Dr. Takanori Ida, professor at the Graduate School of Economics at Kyoto University and lead researcher of the study, measured annual growth in number of papers published (quantity) and citations received (quality), and whether the research had been funded through the COE program. In five of the eight research fields studied, research funded by the program showed a significant increase in output as well as citations received compared to research not funded by the program. These fields are: life science, humanities, medical science, information sciences, and mechanical engineering.

"SciVerse Scopus' data proved very valuable throughout the course of this study. Especially Scopus' Author IDs greatly facilitated the process of identifying Japanese researchers and clustering their work, making comparison between research funded and not funded by the COE Program as accurate as possible," commented Dr. Ida on the methodology of the study. "The results of this study will provide important insights to our government providing them with a better understanding of the effects of their implemented policies on science in Japan."

 "We are honoured to have been able to support Dr. Ida in his research done with the help of SciVerse Scopus. There has been increasing focus in recent years on methods by which research both inside and outside universities is carried out. We will therefore continue to develop research performance and evaluation platforms that universities and institutions can rely on to measure output," said Niels Weertman, Vice President of SciVal at Elsevier.

Details on the published study can be found at:

http://www.econ.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~ida//4Hoka/21coe/COEsummary2.pdf#page=03

About 21st Century Center of Excellence (COE) Program

Large funding program initiated by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and coordinated by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) from 2002 to 2004. The program was succeeded by the Global COE program.

About SciVerse Scopus

Covering the world's research literature, SciVerse Scopus is the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature and quality Web sources with smart tools to track analyze and visualize research. SciVerse Scopus was designed and developed with over 500 users and librarians internationally. Its unique database contains abstracts and references from nearly19,500 peer-reviewed journals from more than 5,000 publishers worldwide, ensuring broad interdisciplinary coverage. In addition, SciVerse Scopus not only offers users citation information about the articles covered, but also directly integrates Web and patent searches. Direct links to full-text articles, library resources and other applications like reference management software, make SciVerse Scopus quicker, easier and more comprehensive to use than any other literature research tool.  

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier's online solutions include SciVerse ScienceDirect, SciVerse Scopus, Reaxys, MD Consult and Nursing Consult, which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal suite and MEDai's Pinpoint Review, which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.

A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world-leading publisher and information provider, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

Media contact

Nami Kanda
+81-3-5561-5069
n.kanda@elsevier.com