AN ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTIVITY TRAJECTORIES AND COLLABORATION PRACTICES OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCHERS LEADING TO NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING DISCOVERIES

Abstract

Introduction. The most significant advances in public health result from findings from successful scientific discoveries. However, to meet societal needs, scientific productivity must be improved. Science should focus on reproducible and replicable research since it is the foundation for future discoveries. Failure to follow proper scientific practice may be partly to blame for the reproducibility crisis. Examining the research development of outstanding scientists over time may assist in better understanding the path to greatness in productive research, leading to more successful work designs and a model for future researchers. The objectives of this investigation were fourfold. 1) To construct an unprecedented, comprehensive dataset of varied sources to examine Nobel Prize-winning scientists' research output and collaboration patterns. 2) To elucidate Nobel Laureates' characteristic research practices and productivity patterns before receiving the Prize and compare them to other NIH-funded researchers. 3) To examine and compare Nobel Laureates Pre-Prize scientific collaboration practices to NIH-funded researchers. 4) To ascertain the potential influence of age and gender on the productivity and collaboration pattern of Nobel Laureates prior to receiving the Prize. Methods. This study collected information on research production from several publicly accessible sources, including PubMed, NIH RePORTER, and U.S. Patent Trademark Office. The author used Data science methodologies to match datasets, curate selected data, and analyze multiple study samples. This study compared the comprehensive work of scientists who made landmark discoveries and were later awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology from 2000 to 2019 to a matched control of National Institute of Health-funded investigators. A unique dataset comprising 11,737 publications, 571 U.S. patents, and 1,693 NIH research awards produced by pre-Nobel Laureates was collected, compared to a similar dataset of matched NIH-funded control researchers and analyzed. The complete dataset is found in the supplementary materials. Results. pre-Nobel Laureates produced more publications per researcher, p=.006, more patents per researcher, p<.001, and higher journal impact factor, p<.001. Discussion. The pre-Nobel Laureates consistently produced more publications, published in higher-impact journals, and developed more patents than their matched NIH-funded controls. Trajectory analysis of extraordinarily successful scientists can provide valuable insight into the development of breakthrough discoveries.