Shorter distances between papers over time are due to more cross-field references and increased citation rate to higher-impact papers.

ABSTRACT: The exponential increase in the number of scientific publications raises the question of whether the sciences are expanding into a fractured structure, making cross-field communication difficult. On the other hand, scientists may be motivated to learn extensively across fields to enhance their innovative capacity, and this may offset the negative effects of fragmentation. Through an investigation of the distances within and clustering of cross-sectional citation networks, this study presents evidence that fields of science become more integrated over time. The average citation distance between papers published in the same year decreased from ∼5.33 to 3.18 steps between 1950 and 2018. This observation is attributed to the growth of cross-field communication throughout the entire period as w

SUBMITTER: Varga A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6825301 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature