Abstract

Author(s): RAJ KUMAR BHARDWAJ

The present study is conducted to know the research trends on open access in social sciences and humanities. It is found that 2217 papers published on open access. These papers have received 9397 citations till January 1, 2014. The average citations per publication has been found ~4.2. The maximum papers in the area of study are published in English 2035 (91.8 percent) language. The majority of literature is published in the form of articles 1652 (74.5 percent). Interestingly, the research was accelerated after 2002 and total 1913 (86.3 percent) papers were published between 2002 to 2012. The research has been published in 160 journals. United States with 748 (33.7 percent) papers is identified the leading countries in OA research, followed by United Kingdom 305 (13.8 percent).Top 15 countries collectively produced the 80 percent of the research. The transformative activity index (TAI) of Norway was highest (~143.3) during 1980 to 2000, while TAI of Italy and Spain (~111.7 each) is measured maximum during 2001-2012. Overall, 160 institutions around the world contributed in OA research. Top 15 top institutes published the 237 (10.7 percent) papers of the total. Indiana University (25 (1.1 percent) is identified the most productive institute and McGrath, M., editor, Leeds, United Kingdom is found the most prolific author in the area of study.