Globalization of science rolls on

GLOBALIZATION of science is a hot topic. Yet, no single set of quantitative data gives a definitive fix on what is going on in science and where science is being done. There are data compilations—such as on R&D spending and investment, patent activity, and scientific manpower—that each give part of the evolving worldwide story. Another such indicator is detailed year-by-year information on the number of articles published in peer-reviewed scientific and engineering journals. If analyzed with caution, such data can identify, if not always explain, broad trends in scientific activity. The latest data on article publication from the National Science Foundation, Thomson Scientific (formerly the Institute for Scientific Information, or ISI), Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), and the American Chemical Society's journals operation all indicate above-average worldwide growth recently and especially rapid and substantial gains for China and selected other Asian and Western European nations. The NSF/ISI data are th...