Publications

18 pages, 2433 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resilience and Volatility in Academic Publishing: The Case of the University of Maribor (2004–2023)

by Mojca Tancer Verboten and Dean Korošak

Publications 2025, 13(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020028 - 4 Jun 2025

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This article examines the resilience and volatility of academic publishing at the University of Maribor (UM) from 2004 to 2023, a period marked by significant economic and policy shifts in Slovenia. Using employment data from UM’s internal records and publication data from OpenAlex, [...] Read more.

This article examines the resilience and volatility of academic publishing at the University of Maribor (UM) from 2004 to 2023, a period marked by significant economic and policy shifts in Slovenia. Using employment data from UM’s internal records and publication data from OpenAlex, we analyze the relationship between employed researchers and publishing authors. Despite a significant drop in researcher employment during the economic recession (2009–2013), the number of unique authors publishing under the UM affiliation surprisingly increased. Analysis of author turnover reveals a striking pattern: high short-term volatility (annual churn ~40–50%) contrasted with significant mid-term stability (5-year churn ~8–10%). Survival analysis confirms this pattern, revealing high initial attrition among publishing authors followed by long-term persistence for a core group of researchers. Network analysis of co-authorship patterns shows increasing resilience to the targeted removal of influential authors over time. Most significantly, we identify a fundamental shift in network structure around 2016, when the co-authorship network transitioned from dissassortative to assortative mixing patterns, coinciding with recovery in employment growth. This shift suggests a profound change in collaboration dynamics, from a system where highly connected researchers primarily collaborated with less-connected ones to one where highly connected researchers increasingly collaborate with each other. We discuss the implications for research policy and university management, emphasizing the need to balance short-term performance metrics with long-term stability and resilience. Full article

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21 pages, 2651 KiB

Open AccessReview

Japanese Science Policies and Their Impacts on Scientific Research

by Akira Muto

Publications 2025, 13(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020027 - 3 Jun 2025

Viewed by 263

Abstract

Innovation in science and technology arises from balanced supports for basic research, applied research, and societal implementation. However, changes in Japanese science policy that shifts toward top–down, evaluation-based, and competitive funding practices appear to have undermined Japan’s long-term research sustainability and innovation potential. [...] Read more.

Innovation in science and technology arises from balanced supports for basic research, applied research, and societal implementation. However, changes in Japanese science policy that shifts toward top–down, evaluation-based, and competitive funding practices appear to have undermined Japan’s long-term research sustainability and innovation potential. The “selection and concentration” strategy (prioritization of specific research areas) and “competition principle”, combined with persistent reduction in Management Expenses Grants, have significantly altered Japan’s research environment for the worse. Together with these policy changes, the introduction of fixed-term contracts in academia has increased instability at both the institutional and the individual levels and has diminished the time and resources available for long-term basic research. Academic careers in science have become less attractive, as evidenced by declining doctoral student enrollment. These changes threaten the potential for scientific discoveries that lead to innovation. Although initiatives such as the introduction of University Research Administrators (URAs) have been implemented to support researchers, such efforts remain insufficient to counterbalance the systemic challenges faced by Japan’s research ecosystem. To re-establish a stable research environment, rethinking the strategy may be necessary, including restoration of stable institutional funding, sustainable career pathways, and balanced funding allocation to basic science that foster seeds for future innovation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue What Does the Anti-Science Trend Mean for Scholarly Publishing)

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16 pages, 1728 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Neonatal Conditions in Africa: Funding Activities from a Bibliometric Perspective

by Elizabeth de Sousa Vieira and Jorge Cerdeira

Publications 2025, 13(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020026 - 27 May 2025

Viewed by 220

Abstract

The literature has shown that neonatal deaths contribute largely to the total number of deaths in children under 5 years of age worldwide and that 39% of all neonatal deaths recorded in 2019 were in Africa. Neonatal conditions (NCs) are the main cause [...] Read more.

The literature has shown that neonatal deaths contribute largely to the total number of deaths in children under 5 years of age worldwide and that 39% of all neonatal deaths recorded in 2019 were in Africa. Neonatal conditions (NCs) are the main cause of these losses. Therefore, NC research is critical to improve the ability to prevent, predict, detect, treat, and manage neonatal problems. However, this research must be properly funded to arrive at outcomes of interest. Regarding the funding of NC research, no study has addressed this issue. In this regard, a bibliometric analysis of the funding information reported in publications can assist scientists in seeking funds for ongoing or new NC research and those involved in developing and implementing strategies to improve NC funding. Using a bibliometric analysis, this study identified the African and non-African funders mentioned in articles on NC research in Africa published between 1990 and 2019. A set of indicators gives an initial picture of funding activities. The results show that the involvement of African and non-African funders in NC research has increased; NC research is highly dependent on foreign funders, especially from the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK); and the funding comes from few funders. Strategies are necessary to reduce the fragility of the funding structure of NC research due to its high dependence on foreign funders and concentration on few funders. Full article

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15 pages, 4164 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research Trends of Vaccination-Related Systematic Reviews, 2011–2023: A Bibliometric Analysis

by Antonia Pilic, Louise Henaff, Christoph A. Steffen, Hanna Helene Linß, Antonia Isabelle Dreyer, Madeleine Batke, Ole Wichmann, Vanessa Piechotta and Thomas Harder

Publications 2025, 13(2), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020025 - 7 May 2025

Viewed by 281

Abstract

Systematic reviews (SRs) reflect the best available evidence for informing vaccination recommendations. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of vaccination-related SRs aiming to uncover research trends. Vaccination-related SRs published from 2011 to 2023 in MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library and the Living Overview [...] Read more.

Systematic reviews (SRs) reflect the best available evidence for informing vaccination recommendations. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of vaccination-related SRs aiming to uncover research trends. Vaccination-related SRs published from 2011 to 2023 in MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library and the Living Overview of Evidence database were considered. Trends over time, disease/pathogen, topic, population, geographical location, accessibility, methodological quality, and overlap were descriptively analyzed using R. A total of 2275 SRs were identified, most of which were freely accessible (n = 2083, 91.7%). The annual number of published SRs increased more than twelvefold from 2011 to 2023. COVID-19 (n = 861, 37.8%), influenza (n = 328, 14.4%), Human papillomavirus (n = 248, 10.9%), and pneumococcal disease (n = 152, 6.7%) were the most frequently addressed diseases/pathogens. Efficacy/effectiveness (n = 1066, 46.9%) and safety of vaccines (n = 812, 35.7%) were the most common topics. The methodological quality of SRs on intervention topics (n = 1376) was mostly critically low (n = 1155, 84.0%). Several SRs were identified that covered similar diseases/pathogens, topics and populations, indicating duplication and overlap, particularly for COVID-19. Our analysis showed a large increase in the number of published vaccination-related SRs. The results provide a basis for understanding the current state and priorities in vaccination research and decrease the overlap potential in newly developed SRs. Full article

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32 pages, 4415 KiB

Open AccessReview

Disinformation in the Digital Age: Climate Change, Media Dynamics, and Strategies for Resilience

by Andrea Tomassi, Andrea Falegnami and Elpidio Romano

Publications 2025, 13(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020024 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 878

Abstract

Scientific disinformation has emerged as a critical challenge at the interface of science and society. This paper examines how false or misleading scientific content proliferates across both social media and traditional media and evaluates strategies to counteract its spread. We conducted a comprehensive [...] Read more.

Scientific disinformation has emerged as a critical challenge at the interface of science and society. This paper examines how false or misleading scientific content proliferates across both social media and traditional media and evaluates strategies to counteract its spread. We conducted a comprehensive literature review of research on scientific misinformation across disciplines and regions, with particular focus on climate change and public health as exemplars. Our findings indicate that social media algorithms and user dynamics can amplify false scientific claims, as seen in case studies of viral misinformation campaigns on vaccines and climate change. Traditional media, meanwhile, are not immune to spreading inaccuracies—journalistic practices such as sensationalism or “false balance” in reporting have at times distorted scientific facts, impacting public understanding. We review efforts to fight disinformation, including technological tools for detection, the application of inoculation theory and prebunking techniques, and collaborative approaches that bridge scientists and journalists. To empower individuals, we propose practical guidelines for critically evaluating scientific information sources and emphasize the importance of digital and scientific literacy. Finally, we discuss methods to quantify the prevalence and impact of scientific disinformation—ranging from social network analysis to surveys of public belief—and compare trends across regions and scientific domains. Our results underscore that combating scientific disinformation requires an interdisciplinary, multi-pronged approach, combining improvements in science communication, education, and policy. We conducted a scoping review of 85 open-access studies focused on climate-related misinformation and disinformation, selected through a systematic screening process based on PRISMA criteria. This approach was chosen to address the lack of comprehensive mappings that synthesize key themes and identify research gaps in this fast-growing field. The analysis classified the literature into 17 thematic clusters, highlighting key trends, gaps, and emerging challenges in the field. Our results reveal a strong dominance of studies centered on social media amplification, political denialism, and cognitive inoculation strategies, while underlining a lack of research on fact-checking mechanisms and non-Western contexts. We conclude with recommendations for strengthening the resilience of both the public and information ecosystems against the spread of false scientific claims. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Open Science: Developments and Disinformation Regarding Scientific Information)

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10 pages, 1499 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Content Quality of Online Health Information by Global Quality Score: A Case Study of Researchers Misnaming It and Citing Secondary Sources

by Andy Wai Kan Yeung

Publications 2025, 13(2), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020023 - 1 May 2025

Viewed by 366

Abstract

The Global Quality Score (GQS) is one of the most frequently used tools to evaluate the content quality of online health information. To the author’s knowledge, it is frequently misnamed as the Global Quality Scale, and occasionally secondary sources are cited as the [...] Read more.

The Global Quality Score (GQS) is one of the most frequently used tools to evaluate the content quality of online health information. To the author’s knowledge, it is frequently misnamed as the Global Quality Scale, and occasionally secondary sources are cited as the original source of the tool. This work aimed to reveal the current situation especially regarding the citations among published studies. Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were queried to identify papers that mentioned the use of the GQS. Among a total of 411 analyzed papers, 45.0% misnamed it as Global Quality Scale, and 46.5% did not cite the primary source published in 2007 to credit it as the original source. Another 80 references were also cited from time to time as the source of the GQS, led by a secondary source published in 2012. There was a decreasing trend in citing the primary source when using the GQS. Among the 12 papers that claimed that the GQS was validated, half of them cited the primary source to justify the claim, but in fact the original publication did not mention anything about its validation. To conclude, future studies should name and cite the GQS properly to minimize confusion. Full article

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23 pages, 2747 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The SPR-Index: A Novel Metric Integrating the H-Index with Verified Peer Review Scores

by Ueric José Borges de Souza, Beni Jequicene Mussengue Chaúque, Evgeni Evgeniev Gabev, Fernando Rosado Spilki and Fabrício Souza Campos

Publications 2025, 13(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020022 - 1 May 2025

Viewed by 1814

Abstract

This manuscript introduces the Scientific Peer Review Index (SPR-index), a novel metric designed to enhance the H-index by incorporating verified peer review records from the Web of Science database. The SPR-index aims to provide a more comprehensive assessment of researchers by considering not [...] Read more.

This manuscript introduces the Scientific Peer Review Index (SPR-index), a novel metric designed to enhance the H-index by incorporating verified peer review records from the Web of Science database. The SPR-index aims to provide a more comprehensive assessment of researchers by considering not only their publication record but also their contributions to the peer review system—an essential yet often overlooked aspect of academic work. Given the increasing difficulty in finding qualified reviewers, this metric aims to recognize and incentivize peer review efforts. The SPR-index is calculated as the product of a researcher’s H-index, normalized by their number of publications, and the total number of verified peer reviews, offering a more nuanced measure of their academic impact. Additionally, we propose factoring in review length to acknowledge researchers who provide in-depth evaluations that exceed the average word count. However, its successful implementation depends on improvements in Clarivate’s peer review data collection, particularly in enhancing the accuracy and completeness of verified review records. Researchers must also ensure their reviews are visible in the Web of Science by selecting appropriate visibility settings. The further refinement and validation of this metric are needed to support its widespread adoption in the academic community. Full article

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10 pages, 187 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Current Status and Driving Force of Library Marketing in the Digital Age

by Jianping Wang, Senqiang Wang and Yanan Liu

Publications 2025, 13(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020021 - 27 Apr 2025

Viewed by 563

Abstract

In the context of the rapid evolution of digital technology and the growing demand for user-centered services, the question of how to effectively implement marketing strategies in libraries has become important in research. This article introduces the theoretical background and development process of [...] Read more.

In the context of the rapid evolution of digital technology and the growing demand for user-centered services, the question of how to effectively implement marketing strategies in libraries has become important in research. This article introduces the theoretical background and development process of domestic and international research on library marketing in the digital era, systematically combs through the current situation of domestic library marketing research, and puts forward the existing deficiencies and problems. Based on the discovery of library marketing strategy research insufficiency and other problems, this paper uses STP theory (segmentation, targeting, and positioning) to conduct a systematic strategy analysis of library operation and management and puts forward countermeasure suggestions for the cross-integration of disciplines, the improvement and optimization of the new theory of library marketing, the integration of STP theory and public library strategy, and the innovation of the research direction. Full article

23 pages, 1601 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unequal Access, Unequal Impact? The Role of Open Access Policies in Publishing and Citation Trends Across Three Countries

by Shlomit Hadad, Daphne R. Raban and Noa Aharony

Publications 2025, 13(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020020 - 16 Apr 2025

Viewed by 1116

Abstract

This bibliometric study investigates Open Access (OA) publication and citation trends in Austria, Israel, and Mexico from 2010 to 2020—three countries with comparable research output but differing OA infrastructures. (1) Background: The study examines how national OA policies, funding mechanisms, and transformative agreements [...] Read more.

This bibliometric study investigates Open Access (OA) publication and citation trends in Austria, Israel, and Mexico from 2010 to 2020—three countries with comparable research output but differing OA infrastructures. (1) Background: The study examines how national OA policies, funding mechanisms, and transformative agreements (TAs) shape publication and citation patterns across disciplines. (2) Methods: Using Scopus data, the analysis focuses on four broad subject areas (health, physical, life, and social sciences), applying both three-way ANOVA and a Weighted OA Citation Impact index that adjusts citation shares based on the proportional representation of each subject area in national research output. An OA Engagement Score was also developed to assess each country’s policy and infrastructure support. (3) Results: OA publications consistently receive more citations than closed-access ones, confirming a robust OA citation advantage. Austria leads in both OA publication volume and weighted impact, reflecting its strong policy frameworks and TA coverage. Israel, while publishing fewer OA articles, achieves high citation visibility in specific disciplines. Mexico demonstrates strengths in repositories and Diamond OA journals but lags in transformative agreements. (4) Conclusions: National differences in OA policy maturity, infrastructure, and publishing models shape both visibility and citation impact. Structural limitations and indexing disparities may further affect how research from different regions and disciplines is represented globally, emphasizing the need for inclusive and context-sensitive frameworks for evaluating OA engagement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bias in Indexing: Effects on Visibility and Equity)

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19 pages, 2890 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Publication Trends on the Varying Coefficients Model: Estimating the Actual (Under)Utilization of a Highly Acclaimed Method for Studying Statistical Interactions

by Assaf Botzer

Publications 2025, 13(2), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020019 - 7 Apr 2025

Viewed by 499

Abstract

Numerous papers have demonstrated that by using a varying coefficients model (VCM), researchers can unveil patterns of interactions between variables that could otherwise remain hidden if using the more popular regression model with an interaction term. Hence, one would expect high acceptance of [...] Read more.

Numerous papers have demonstrated that by using a varying coefficients model (VCM), researchers can unveil patterns of interactions between variables that could otherwise remain hidden if using the more popular regression model with an interaction term. Hence, one would expect high acceptance of the VCM as a tool for studying statistical interactions in datasets. Yet, the current paper shows that the VCM is still struggling to migrate from journals in which methods are presented to journals in which methods are utilized. First, a search in Google Scholar with the phrase “varying coefficients” returned ~79,200 results in comparison to returning ~2,710,000 results with the phrase “interaction term”. Second, a bibliometric analysis of publications with the VCM showed that in many research domains, there were more publications with the VCM in journals on methods than publications with the VCM in journals for empirical investigations. Economics and environmental studies stood out with many more publications with the VCM in empirical journals than in journals on statistical methods. The gap between the high acclaims of the VCM in the statistical literature and its low utilization rate in practice should be of concern to the research community. The possible reasons for this gap and its potential remedies are discussed. Full article

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28 pages, 365 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tailoring Scientific Knowledge: How Generative AI Personalizes Academic Reading Experiences

by Anna Małgorzata Kamińska

Publications 2025, 13(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020018 - 2 Apr 2025

Viewed by 778

Abstract

The scientific literature is expanding at an unprecedented pace, making it increasingly difficult for researchers, students, and professionals to extract relevant insights efficiently. Traditional academic publishing offers static, one-size-fits-all content that does not cater to the diverse backgrounds, expertise levels, and interests of [...] Read more.

The scientific literature is expanding at an unprecedented pace, making it increasingly difficult for researchers, students, and professionals to extract relevant insights efficiently. Traditional academic publishing offers static, one-size-fits-all content that does not cater to the diverse backgrounds, expertise levels, and interests of readers. This paper explores how generative AI can dynamically personalize scholarly content by tailoring summaries and key takeaways to individual user profiles. Nine scientific articles from a single journal issue were used to create the dataset, and prompt engineering was applied to generate tailored insights for exemplary personas: a digital humanities and open science researcher, and a mining and raw materials industry specialist. The effectiveness of AI-generated content modifications in enhancing readability, comprehension, and relevance was evaluated. The results indicate that generative AI can successfully emphasize different aspects of an article, making it more accessible and engaging to specific audiences. However, challenges such as content oversimplification, potential biases, and ethical considerations remain. The implications of AI-powered personalization in scholarly communication are discussed, and future research directions are proposed to refine and optimize AI-driven adaptive reading experiences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI in Open Access)

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21 pages, 1577 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does Publisher Volume Matter? A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Scopus Journal Publishing Patterns

by Eungi Kim

Publications 2025, 13(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020017 - 1 Apr 2025

Viewed by 1720

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between publisher volume—the number of journals a publisher produces—and journal publishing patterns in Scopus, including various journal metrics such as the h-index, SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), and journal quartiles. The SCImago database, which [...] Read more.

The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between publisher volume—the number of journals a publisher produces—and journal publishing patterns in Scopus, including various journal metrics such as the h-index, SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), and journal quartiles. The SCImago database, which is derived from Scopus data, serves as a proxy for journal impact and influence. The analysis also considered factors such as Open Access (OA) status, geographical location, and subject areas. Using the 2023 SJR dataset, publishers were classified into four categories: V1 (single journal), V2 (2–9 journals), V3 (10–99 journals), and V4 (100+ journals). The findings showed that V4 publishers accounted for 44.5% of Scopus-indexed journals despite comprising only 0.3% of all publishers, whereas V1 publishers represented 78.6% of all publishers but contributed only 21.3% of journals. High-volume publishers had more journals ranked in Q1 and Q2, while lower-volume publishers were more concentrated in Q3 and Q4. Results from the linear mixed-effects model indicated that publisher volume was associated with journal metrics, with higher-volume publishers generally achieving higher h-index and SJR scores. Western Europe and North America had the highest number of V4 publishers, whereas China, Spain, and Italy exhibited strong journal production but had fewer publishers in the highest-volume category. These results illustrate the dominance of a small group of high-volume (V4) publishers and the challenges smaller publishers face in gaining visibility and impact. They also underscore the need to consider policies that foster a more balanced and equitable scholarly publishing environment, particularly for underrepresented regions and subject areas. Full article

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12 pages, 247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Fees to Free: Comparing APC-Based and Diamond Open Access Journals in Engineering

by Luís Eduardo Pilatti, Luiz Alberto Pilatti, Gustavo Dambiski Gomes de Carvalho and Luis Mauricio Martins de Resende

Publications 2025, 13(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020016 - 1 Apr 2025

Viewed by 1289

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of different Open Access (OA) publication models in engineering, comparing journals that charge Article Processing Charges (APCs) with those operating under the Diamond OA model. A total of 757 engineering OA journals, comprising 504 APC-based and 253 Diamond [...] Read more.

This study analyzes the impact of different Open Access (OA) publication models in engineering, comparing journals that charge Article Processing Charges (APCs) with those operating under the Diamond OA model. A total of 757 engineering OA journals, comprising 504 APC-based and 253 Diamond OA journals, were examined using bibliometric data from 2020 to 2023. The analysis focused on four key metrics: CiteScore, total citations, number of published articles, and the percentage of cited articles. The results indicate that APC-based journals dominate the upper quartiles (Q1 and Q2) regarding absolute citation counts, primarily driven by high-volume mega-journals such as IEEE Access. However, Diamond OA journals exhibit a higher proportion of cited articles (88.8% compared to 83.4% in APC-based journals) within the top 10% category. Despite their benefits in providing cost-free dissemination, Diamond OA journals account for only 8.4% of the 3012 active engineering journals indexed in Scopus, highlighting sustainability and visibility challenges. The findings suggest that, while APC-based journals achieve higher absolute citation counts, editorial reputation and visibility strategies significantly influence citation performance. This study contributes to the ongoing discussion on the financial sustainability and equity of OA publishing in engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diamond Open Access)

25 pages, 7710 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Top2Vec Topic Modeling to Analyze the Dynamics of Publication Activity Related to Environmental Monitoring Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

by Vladimir Albrekht, Ravil I. Mukhamediev, Yelena Popova, Elena Muhamedijeva and Asset Botaibekov

Publications 2025, 13(2), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020015 - 25 Mar 2025

Viewed by 820

Abstract

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) play a key role in the process of contemporary environmental monitoring, enabling more frequent and detailed observations of various environmental parameters. With the rapid growth of scientific publications on this topic, it is important to identify the key trends [...] Read more.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) play a key role in the process of contemporary environmental monitoring, enabling more frequent and detailed observations of various environmental parameters. With the rapid growth of scientific publications on this topic, it is important to identify the key trends and directions. This study uses the Top2Vec algorithm for topic modeling algorithm aimed at analyzing abstracts of more than 556 thousand scientific articles published on the arXiv platform from 2010 to 2023. The analysis was conducted in five key domains: air, water, and surface pollution monitoring; causes of pollution; and challenges in the use of UAVs. The research method included data collection and pre-processing, topic modeling, and quantitative analysis of publication activity using indicators of the rate (D1) and acceleration (D2) of change in the number of publications. The study allows concluding that the main challenge for the researchers is the task of processing data obtained in the course of monitoring. The second most important factor is the reduction in restrictions on the UAV flight duration. Among the causes of pollution, agricultural activities will be considered as a priority. Research in monitoring greenhouse gas emissions will be the most topical in air quality monitoring, while erosion and sedimentation—in the area of land surface control. Thermal pollution, microplastics, and chemical pollution are most relevant in the field of water quality control. On the other hand, the interest of the scientific community in topics related to soil pollution, particulate matter, sensor calibration, and volatile organic compounds is decreasing. Full article

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25 pages, 747 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Generative AI vs. Traditional Databases: Insights from Industrial Engineering Applications

by Jose E. Naranjo, Maria M. Llumiquinga, Washington D. Vaca and Cristian X. Espin

Publications 2025, 13(2), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/publications13020014 - 25 Mar 2025

Viewed by 946

Abstract

This study evaluates the efficiency and accuracy of Generative AI (GAI) tools, specifically ChatGPT and Gemini, in comparison with traditional academic databases for industrial engineering research. It was conducted in two phases. First, a survey was administered to 101 students to assess their [...] Read more.

This study evaluates the efficiency and accuracy of Generative AI (GAI) tools, specifically ChatGPT and Gemini, in comparison with traditional academic databases for industrial engineering research. It was conducted in two phases. First, a survey was administered to 101 students to assess their familiarity with GAIs and the most commonly used tools in their academic field. Second, an assessment of the quality of the information provided by GAIs was carried out, in which 11 industrial engineering professors participated as evaluators. The study focuses on the query process, response times, and information accuracy, using a structured methodology that includes predefined prompts, expert validation, and statistical analysis. A comparative assessment was conducted through standardized search workflows developed using the Bizagi tool, ensuring consistency in the evaluation of both approaches. Results demonstrate that GAIs significantly reduce query response times compared to conventional databases, although the accuracy and completeness of responses require careful validation. A Chi-Square analysis was performed to statistically assess accuracy differences, revealing no significant disparities between the two AI tools. While GAIs offer efficiency advantages, conventional databases remain essential for in-depth literature searches requiring high levels of precision. These findings highlight the potential and limitations of GAIs in academic research, providing insights into their optimal application in industrial engineering education. Full article

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