Mapping of neuroscience research: a quantitative analysis of publications output of China, 1999–2008

BACKGROUND: Neuroscience is one of the most active research fields in many countries including China since 1970. The Chinese neuroscientists are playing an ever growing and important role in IBRO activities for the development of worldwide cooperation in Brain research. PURPOSE: The main objective of this study is to analyze the research performance of China in neurosciences in national and global context, as reflected in its publication output during 1999–2008. METHODS: This study is based on the Chinese publication data in neurosciences retrieved from the Scopus Citation database for the 10 years (1999–2008). Several parameters including total research output, its growth, rank and global publication share, citation impact, share of international collaborative papers and major collaborative partner countries and patterns of research communication in most productive journals were studied. RESULTS: China's world ranking improved to 8(th) position in 2008. The cumulative publication output of China accounts for 39.69 % share of international collaborative papers during 1999–2008. Chinese authors in neuroscience field together contributed 794 papers, with an average of 49.63 papers per author. CONCLUSION: The top 49 highly cited papers in neurosciences from China had scored higher impact with 126.73 citations per paper. These 49 high–cited papers have appeared in 25 journals and are affiliated to 32 Chinese institutions.