Abstract:

In this study we perform a detailed comparative analysis of the skills of Bulgarian and foreign authors to publish in periodicals with impact factor. Our goal is to present the way that Bulgarian authors of scientific researches are managing the task of publishing in periodicals that have an impact factor in the respective years by comparing them to authors from other countries. We also look into the policies in some of these countries and regions, which have built the researchers’ skills to write for impact periodicals. We explore which skills are the most needed and make comparative analysis of the process of skill development. We offer some skill-improving ideas that originate from other countries’ good practices and from the criteria and indicators bound in the EU policies, The National Scientific Research Strategy, The Programme for Smart Growth and The Operational Programme “Science and Education for Smart Growth” 2014-2020. Because of the defined requirements for the authors we focused primarily on analyzes based on data and indicators from Thomson Reuters databases – Web of Science, Journal Citation Report, InCites. We have used examples from the top 60 countries in the field of research, making no comparison with the other 100 countries with lower indicator values than those in the first 60 countries. In order to get an up-to-date picture, we used data from the period 2000-2017. We are presenting tables and graphics of the study. In the comparative analysis we start from the idea of correctly positioning the Bulgarian scientific authors compared to their colleagues from other countries. Bulgaria has relatively the smallest percentage of investment in science but has achieved similar results. It is likely that the target funding contributed, albeit in very small amounts, which Bulgarian Science Fund annually allocates to support authors of scientific publications in periodicals with an impact factor, as well as the access to Elsevier and Thomson Reuters libraries, and numerous presentations, trainings and forums provided by The Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria. Bulgaria introduced requirements for the acquisition of a scientific degree and accreditation as well as rating rankings in which the main measure is the number of scientific publications in periodicals with an impact factor. The targeted funding for individual Bulgarian authors of scientific publications is mainly given for translations from Bulgarian to English and for improving the formalities of publications - the standard for bibliographic data and quotes, the use of modern visualization products, the presentation at international forum, etc. The study examines the new opportunities for The Faculty of Library Studies and Cultural Heritage in ULSIT, Bulgaria via project "Redesign of academic journals in accordance with indicators of impact factor and performance to achieve smart growth in the modern knowledge society“ under Contract № 02/79 DFNI К 02/2 of 12.12. 2014. The project is implemented with the financial support of The Research Fund of The Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria. We present the main goals, tasks and expected results of the project. Bulgarian authors of scientific publications in periodicals with impact factor are in a phase of great change and development. Still a great deal of care and incentive is needed in order for this change to make them equivalent to their colleagues in the European Union.

Keywords:

Impact of quotes, state strategy, impact factor, publishing activity, financing, skills formation, quote analysis.