Uncitedness of articles in nature, a multidisciplinary scientific journal

Abstract In an earlier investigation [1] it was noted that, on the average, 14.7% of the 222 test articles that appeared in a discipline-oriented scientific serial namely, Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS) (Jan–Feb 1965) were not cited during any given year. It was further observed that only one (or 0.45%) paper remained continuously uncited during the entire 6yr period of study (1965–1970) following its publication. These findings were in disagreement with the conjectures of both P rice [2] and C awkell [3]. According to Price and Cawkell, the average annual uncitedness of scientific articles is 35 and 64%, respectively. Price further predicted that about 10% of scientific literature published is never cited. On the other hand, K essler and heart [4] conjectured that papers not cited during the first 5 yr of their publication are not likely to be cited in future. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which these predictions on uncitedness hold true, especially with reference to communications published in a multi-disciplinary (as opposed to a discipline-oriented) research journal like Nature , which is international in character.

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