Publication and Referencing Patterns in a Mexican Research Institute

Abstract

Reference and publication patterns in the Institute of Biomedical Research of the National University of Mexico have changed over a twenty-year period (1959-79), reflecting the emergence of a scientific community. This paper analyzes these changes in terms of the development of a `critical mass' and of increasing international visibility, and participation in invisible colleges. Our findings show that a critical mass of Mexican biomedical researchers did emerge, which resulted in greater productivity, and more horizontal collaboration between researchers in different institutions. International visibility, measured in terms of international publications, increased greatly. Finally, citations of Mexican researchers not in the immediate research group increased slightly.