Mapping Research Trends: A Bibliometric Analysis of Scientific Publications in Gandaki Province, Nepal

Abstract

Employing bibliometric methods, this study examined the scientific research landscape of Gandaki Province of Nepal within the context of rapidly transforming political, economic, and geo-bio-environmental conditions. The research analyzed 524 articles published in various journals within Gandaki Province, Nepal, from 1990 to 2021, retrieved from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The findings were analyzed using statistical tests such as Kendall's tau b and the Welch T-test. The results revealed a rising publication trend that peaked in 2017. The Welch t-test indicated a significant difference in mean publications (i.e., 2.68 and 30.06) between the two time periods (1990-2005 and 2006-2021). The spatial distribution of publications across the Gandaki Province was uneven. Geography and geoscience, along with health and allied sciences, were the dominant research fields. Natural sciences had the highest impact, as indicated by the PPTop10 value index, whereas geography and geosciences had the lowest. Additionally, more than half of the lead authors were affiliated with institutions in Nepal. The study highlights the need to sustain increased research outputs. This reveals an imbalance in publication distribution that favors urban areas, suggesting the need for increased research in underrepresented locations. Limited international collaboration indicates untapped potential for resource sharing. Despite limitations in database coverage, the insights gained offer valuable guidance for policymakers, researchers, and academic institutions. Pre-emptive approaches, including developing infrastructure and fostering an enabling research environment, are crucial to enhancing research output and quality in Gandaki Province.