La visibilidad internacional de la investigación científica: el caso de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Abstract

The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) has the following functions: teaching, research, and the dissemination of culture. It has gained national and international recognition for its achievements, and is currently ranked first in the country and among the best in the international classifications. However, no research performance indicators exist for this university. The aim of the present paper is to assess the performance of university researchers during the period 1995-2003 using a bibliometrical analysis. The empirical data were based on the Web of Knowledge and the Journal Citation Reports (JCR). They were used to assess the degree of visibility of the communication channel used to disseminate the products of scientific research. 9,903 articles were identified which obtained 65,291 citations. Most articles were published in disciplines in the hard sciences: astronomy and astrophysics, biochemistry and molecular biology and physics. We conclude that UNAM researchers have partially overcome the obstacles facing the consolidation of Mexican science as it seeks a wider public.