Contribution and Citation Impact of Panjab University in Social Sciences Research during 2006–15

This paper analyzes 362 research publications of the Panjab University in social sciences during ten years (2006–15), as covered in Scopus International database. The study quantifies publication data in various aspects of publication performance, such as the publication growth, research impact and quality, national and international collaboration, contribution and impact of authors, major areas of research and preferred channels of research communications. The findings reveal that Panjab University total publications in social sciences had increased at an annual average growth rate of 30.84% and registered an average citation impact per paper of 2.38 during 2006–15. Of its total publications by Panjab University in social sciences 58.01% publications did not get any citations as against 41.99% getting 1 or more citations. The 20.99% and 9.12% of the Panjab University publications in social sciences were involved in national and international collaboration during 2006–15. In terms of performance of Panjab University among the 20 most productive Indian universities in social sciences, Panjab University stood at 6^th rank in terms of publications output, 9^th rank in h-index and 11^th rank in average citation per paper during 2006–15. Of the 279 authors of Panjab University involved in 362 papers, the top 30 most productive authors in social sciences together contributed 60.5% and 73.26% share of total publications and citations of Panjab University in social sciences during 2006–15. Of the 140 journals contributing to Punjab University in social science research output, the top 29 journals together accounted for 48.07% share of the Panjab University output in social sciences during 2006–15. It is suggested that university should make concentrated efforts to improve research environment and take concrete steps to improve research output and quality and increase national and international collaboration.