BraX-Ray: an X-ray of the Brazilian computer science graduate programs

PLoS One. 2014 Apr 11;9(4):e94541. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094541. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Research productivity assessment is increasingly relevant for allocation of research funds. On one hand, this assessment is challenging because it involves both qualitative and quantitative analysis of several characteristics, most of them subjective in nature. On the other hand, current tools and academic social networks make bibliometric data web-available to everyone for free. Those tools, especially when combined with other data, are able to create a rich environment from which information on research productivity can be extracted. In this context, our work aims at characterizing the Brazilian Computer Science graduate programs and the relationship among themselves. We (i) present views of the programs from different perspectives, (ii) rank the programs according to each perspective and a combination of them, (iii) show correlation between assessment metrics, (iv) discuss how programs relate to another, and (v) infer aspects that boost programs' research productivity. The results indicate that programs with a higher insertion in the coauthorship network topology also possess a higher research productivity between 2004 and 2009.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Authorship
  • Brazil
  • Computer Literacy*
  • Education, Graduate*
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Program Evaluation
  • Social Support
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Grants and funding

This work was partially supported by FAPESP, project 2009/10413-5 (www.fapesp.br/); CNPq, fellowship 304937/2010-0 (http://www.cnpq.br/); and Elabora Consultoria (www.elaboraconsultoria.com.br). Elabora Consultoria is a commercial source, but this does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.