Communication bibliometric research in Latin American scientific journals (2009-2018)

 Jesús Arroyave-Cabrera, Barranquilla (Colombia)

 Rafael Gonzalez-Pardo, Ibagué (Colombia)

https://doi.org/10.3916/C70-2022-07

Keywords

Meta-research, communication, academic papers, Web of Science, Scopus, Latin America

Abstract

The objective of this article is to analyze the distinctive characteristics of research production in the field of communication in Latin American scientific communication journals. Meta-research is necessary because it allows re-evaluating the field and offers new horizons in knowledge production. Two studies were conducted: 1) Bibliometric analysis of 116 journals in eight databases and 24 publications in the Web of Science and Scopus; 2) Content analysis including that of 407 articles over a period of 10 years (2009–2018). The findings demonstrate a research trend in the Latin American region toward international standards, evidenced by a preponderance of empirical over essay studies. Universities in the region published most of the journals in the field and circulation was predominantly biannual. Contrary to expectations, the most widely disseminated topic was health communication, partly owing to a large sample of Brazilian journals. Within the empirical research, the qualitative approach was predominant. The interview was the most widely used research method in the region. Finally, the most used theories were agenda setting and framing. Imminent challenges arise, i.e., to strengthen indigenous theoretical production and to position the region's themes and reflection more decisively in knowledge production at a global level.

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Fundref

The results of this article are part of the project ”Approach to Latin American Communication Thinking in Scientific Journals” financed by resources from the National Fund for Financing Science, Technology and Innovation of the General System of Royalties and the Universidad del Norte (Colombia).

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Technical information

Received: 18-05-2021

Revised: 30-06-2021

Accepted: 15-07-2021

OnlineFirst: 15-10-2021

Publication date: 01-01-2022

Article revision time: 43 days | Average time revision issue 70: 35 days

Article acceptance time: 58 days | Average time of acceptance issue 70: 66 days

Preprint editing time: 183 days | Average editing time preprint issue 70: 191 days

Article editing time: 228 days | Average editing time issue 70: 236 days

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