ArXiv Research Output Trends 2006 - Stats Visualization

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the trends in research output on arXiv, particularly in the field of High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th) from 2006 to 2007. Participants analyze submission rates, cross-listings, and potential implications for peer-reviewed publications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares a link to updated arXiv statistics, noting a recovery in monthly submission rates for hep-th.
  • Another participant provides detailed monthly submission data for 2006 and 2007, highlighting a 10 percent rise in direct postings to hep-th while cross-listings remained stable.
  • Some participants speculate about the implications of submission trends for peer-reviewed publications, suggesting a potential correlation between preprint submissions and publication rates.
  • One participant proposes that a relaxation among established researchers may be encouraging more submissions, citing cultural shifts in what is considered acceptable to discuss publicly.
  • Another participant humorously compares the acceptance of previously taboo topics in media to the current trends in hep-th submissions, suggesting a decline in standards for what is deemed interesting or important.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the submission trends, with some attributing the increase to a relaxation of standards and others focusing on the statistical data without reaching a consensus on the underlying causes.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not clarify the assumptions behind their interpretations of the data, nor do they resolve the implications of the trends for the field as a whole.

marcus
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Thanks for the prompt, arivero.

==quote arXiv==
High Energy Physics - Theory ('06)
High Energy Physics - Theory ('07)

available title/author lists of hep-th papers, + cross-listings to hep-th, received during given months (each '|' represents 10 titles):

* 0601 (Jan '06) |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 236 + 108
* 0602 (Feb '06) |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||! 296 + 101
* 0603 (Mar '06) ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||! 256 + 130
* 0604 (Apr '06) ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 219 + 131
* 0605 (May '06) |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 296 + 147
* 0606 (Jun '06) ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 287 + 127
* 0607 (Jul '06) ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||! 251 + 117
* 0608 (Aug '06) |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||! 229 + 110
* 0609 (Sep '06) ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||! 226 + 119
* 0610 (Oct '06) ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||! 336 + 132
* 0611 (Nov '06) |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||! 354 + 142
* 0612 (Dec '06) ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||! 309 + 137

'06 Total: 3295 + 1501

* 0701 (Jan '07) |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||! 294 + 121
* 0702 (Feb '07) ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 229 + 104
* 0703 (Mar '07) ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||! 290 + 115
* 0704 (Apr '07) ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 245 + 109
* 0705 (May '07) |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 333 + 147
* 0706 (Jun '07) ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 302 + 128
* 0707 (Jul '07) |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 259 + 142
* 0708 (Aug '07) ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 257 + 95

'07 Total: 2209 + 961

==endquote==
the first 8 months of 2006 showed 2070 + 971 (submissions + crosslistings)
the first 8 months of 2007 showed 2209 + 961

So the crosslistings to hep-th from other departments were about the same (971, 961) but the direct posting to hep-th showed a 10 percent rise! (2070, 2209)

some sample years:
2002--- 3334 + 1339
2005--- 3239 + 1438
2006--- 3295 + 1501
(2007--- 3600+ ? rough estimate)

Hep-th contains a lot else besides string, so I do not know if this 10 percent recovery will be reflected in string submissions as well. I have made a rough estimate for hep-th as a whole assuming the 10 percent rise you pointed out to me.

As a final step maybe one should translate preprint submissions into an expectation of how much peer-review publication there will be. Lately I have been watching the Harvard abstracts list which just tallies the papers actually published.
 
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It appears to me that there is a relaxation by the "old guards", due to contributing evidences that other explanations might be valid which encourages people to dig out and update their papers from the bottom of their file drawers.
You only need to make the comparison with what is now accepted on TV shows, advertising, etc., that were taboo to discuss only a few short years ago.
(eg. adult diappers/inconsistencies, erectile difficulties)
jal
 
jal said:
It appears to me that there is a relaxation by the "old guards",... comparison with what is now accepted on TV shows,...
(eg. adult diapers..., erectile difficulties)

preprints in hep-th have been flat or slightly down for 2002-2006 and now seem to be climbing again---you attribute this to declining standards of what is interesting or important enough to make public. And compare this with big diaper access to network TV.
outrageous:biggrin:
 
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