Evaluation of a Scientific Productivity Model among World Highly Cited Authors: a Study Based on Experts’ Opinions

Abstract

This article mainly aims to investigate the relevance of a scientific productivity model (based on experts’ opinions) to highly cited authors. To this end, this study intends to first identify the scientific productivity model based on experts’ opinions and then examine it among the highly cited authors’ community. The present study was conducted by a mixed quantitative and qualitative method on two statistical communities, 12 experts (who were mainly active in scientific productivity), and 235 highly cited authors in the world participated in this research. Research data were collected using such tools as a checklist, questionnaires, and the Clarivate Analytics-WoS database and analyzed with SPSS-19 and LISREL 8 software. The scientific productivity model of highly cited authors was examined by the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). This three-factor model (including individual, organizational, and bibliometric factors), which according to CFA load factors, shows that (1) the bibliographic factor (loading factor 1), (2) the individual factor (loading factor 0.69), and (3) the organizational factor (loading factor 0.63) are effective among highly cited authors (based on the scientific productivity model). Besides, the scientific productivity model fits among the community of highly cited authors through the world based on experts’ opinions. The combination of quantitative and qualitative factors presented in this model can effectively provide the basis for individual and organizational scientific development and pave the way for individuals and organizations to promote scientific productivity. In addition, the result of this research can be effective for improving and developing scientometric indicators. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.