Two Decades of Research at the University of Lagos (2004-2023): A Scientometric Analysis of Productivity, Collaboration, and Impact

TL;DR

This scientometric study analyzes two decades of research at the University of Lagos, highlighting growth in productivity, collaboration patterns, and impact across disciplines, with international partnerships and open access playing key roles.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research trends, collaboration, and impact at the University of Lagos from 2004 to 2023, informing strategic research planning.

Findings

Research output increased steadily over two decades.

International collaboration correlates with higher citation impact.

Open-access publications enhance visibility and citations.

Abstract

This paper presents a scientometric analysis of research output from the University of Lagos, focusing on the two decades spanning 2004 to 2023. Using bibliometric data retrieved from the Web of Science, we examine trends in publication volume, collaboration patterns, citation impact, and the most prolific authors, departments, and research domains at the university. The study reveals a consistent increase in research productivity, with the highest publication output recorded in 2023. Health Sciences, Engineering, and Social Sciences are identified as dominant fields, reflecting the university's interdisciplinary research strengths. Collaborative efforts, both locally and internationally, show a positive correlation with higher citation impact, with the United States and the United Kingdom being the leading international collaborators. Notably, open-access publications account for a significant portion of the university's research output, enhancing visibility and citation rates. The findings offer valuable insights into the university's research performance over the past two decades, providing a foundation for strategic planning and policy formulation to foster research excellence and global impact.