Quantity, quality, and depth of research as influences on scientific eminence: Is quantity most important?

Journal/Book: Creativity Res J. 1997; 10: 10 Industrial Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2262. Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc Inc. 325-335.

Abstract: There can be little doubt that in decisions of academic hiring, tenure, and the awarding of grant support the evaluation of quantity and quality of publication plays a major role. However, the question remains as to which matters more, quantity or quality. Furthermore, does quantity predict quality, and does publishing deeply rather than broadly predict scientific recognition? These questions were addressed by collecting publication (quantity) and citation (quality/impact) data on a relatively elite sample of 99 physicists, chemists, and biologists from major American research universities. Quantity and impact of research were positively related, and although both predicted global eminence, quantity accounted for 37% more variance once impact was statistically controlled. Zero-order correlations suggested that publishing deeply rather than broadly predicted global eminence, and yet holding quantity of publication constant resulted in a nonsignificant relation between depth and eminence. In short, the correlation between depth of research and eminence was spurious. These results suggest that, at least among a relatively elite group of scientists, an interaction exists between quality and eminence, depending on level of quantity. For those scientists who produce large quantities of work, impact of publication has little to no effect on eminence. However, for those scientists who produce relatively few works, impact of publication does predict higher levels of eminence.

Note: Article Feist GJ, Coll William & Mary, Dept Psychol, POB 8795, Williamsburg,VA 23187 USA

Keyword(s): PRODUCTIVITY; PSYCHOLOGY; CAREER

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