What is it about?
This research letter explores how certain scientific papers, known as "sleeping beauties," which had previously been overlooked, suddenly received a surge of citations during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discovered that this spike in citations is linked to a noticeable rise in the citations of the references cited by these papers, suggesting a chain reaction in the academic world where once-neglected studies are now being revisited and referenced more frequently.
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Why is it important?
This work sheds light on a fascinating phenomenon in academic publishing, revealing that the COVID-19 pandemic not only highlighted previously forgotten research but also created a cascading effect where the references of these papers saw a significant increase in citations. Understanding this ripple effect can provide valuable insights into how research trends evolve and how academic work can be dynamically re-evaluated during global events.
Perspectives
From my perspective, this publication is particularly intriguing because it illustrates how external factors like a global pandemic can dramatically influence the academic landscape. The idea that the impact of a pandemic can cause a chain reaction in the citation of scientific papers underscores the interconnectedness of research and how shifts in focus can lead to broader recognition of earlier work. It’s a testament to the evolving nature of academic impact and the potential for rediscovery of important research.
Houcemeddine Turki
Universite de Sfax
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Awakening sleeping beauties during the COVID-19 pandemic influences the citation impact of their references, Scientometrics, August 2022, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s11192-022-04501-8.
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