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arXiv · 1304.0657

A Survey of Astronomical Research: An Astronomy for Development Baseline

V. A. R. M. Ribeiro·P. Russo·A. Cardenas-Avendano
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Abstract

Measuring scientific development is a difficult task. Different metrics have been put forward to evaluate scientific development; in this paper we explore a metric that uses the number of peer-reviewed, and when available non-peer-reviewed articles, research research articles as an indicator of development in the field of astronomy. We analyzed the available publication record, using the SAO/NASA Astrophysics Database System, by country affiliation in the time span between 1950 and 2011 for countries with a Gross National Income of less than 14,365 USD in 2010. This represents 149 countries. We propose that this metric identifies countries in `astronomy development' with a culture of research publishing. We also propose that for a country to develop astronomy it should invest in outside expert visits, send their staff abroad to study and establish a culture of scientific publishing. Furthermore, we propose that this paper may be used as a baseline to measure the success of major international projects, such as the International Year of Astronomy 2009.

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V. A. R. M. Ribeiro, P. Russo, A. Cardenas-Avendano. 2013-08-26. A Survey of Astronomical Research: An Astronomy for Development Baseline. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-6256%2F146%2F6%2F138

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