Social Science Research Landscape in South Asia: A Comparative Assessment of Research Output Published during 1996-2013

Abstract - The paper analyses composition and dynamics of social sciences research output in five South Asia countries as reflected in publications indexed in Scopus international bibliographical database and as summarised in Scimago database. The study which covers publications and citations data for the years 1996-2013 reveals that social sciences research in South Asia appears to be growing exponentially, doubling in publication size every six years. Within the confines of South Asia region, there is a great social science research divide between nations that publish papers in bulk and those that publish very little. India alone published prolific share (84%) within South Asia region compared to 6.4% by Pakistan and 3.2% by Bangladesh. In the global context also, there exists social science research divide. South Asia region barely published less than 1.6% share in 18 years 1996-2013, compared to rest of the world share that published 98.427%. South Asia is strong in quantity but not in quality in social sciences research. Relative citation index of South Asia has been below the world average. South Asia share of internationally collaborated papers is low (14.15%). India’s share of internationally collaborative papers has been the least across all fields of social sciences. It is a pointer for investigation why India should rank at bottom in South Asia countries ranking on international collaboration despite its prolific share (84%) in the region in social Sciences research