Bibliometric Measures of Research Output of Lower Middle Income Economies

Abstract

To understand the path of Lower Middle Income (LMIC) Economies towards economic stability as far as Science, Technology and Innovation are concerned; this paper conducts trend analysis of research output in science-based disciplines of the 55 countries in the LMIC bracket, grouped into the 6 continents of the world. Factors of interest across the six regions were (1) source of funding for scientific research output measured against percentage share of Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD), (2) R&D share of GDP measured against three key determinants of growth in Science, Technology and Innovation (Services, value added (% of GDP); Industry, value added (% of GDP) and High technology exports (% of manufactured exports),) and (3) scientific research publications measured against the three determinants of growth in Science, Technology and Innovation. The results show that, in the period of 2000-2012, the combined performance of LMIC countries in the Oceania region were relatively higher in the Services, value added (% of GDP) and High technology exports (% of manufactured exports) than LMICs in other regions. South America's LMICs performed relatively better under Industry, value added (% of GDP) than other LMICs. The study helps to understand whether investments made in scientific research in LMICs have corresponding effect on the production of Science, Technology and Innovation.