The Equalizing Effect of the Internet on Access to Research Expertise in Political Science and Economics.

Author(s): 

Daniel M. Butler, Richard J. Butler, Jesse Rich

ISPS ID: 
ISPS08-008
Full citation: 
Butler, Daniel M., Richard J. Butler, and Jesse Rich (2008) “The Equalizing Effect of the Internet on Access to Research Expertise in Political Science and Economics.” PS: Political Science and Politics 41(3): 579-584. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049096508080785
Abstract: 
In this paper, we examine how expanded Internet usage has affected co-authorship and research between academic political scientists and economists within the same department. We find that the relative number of papers co-authored between departments has increased as the number of papers by authors solely within the same department has declined. Further we find evidence consistent with the claim that the Internet has had an equalizing effect by giving researchers outside the top-ten departments access to high quality research expertise in the form of collaborators at other universities.
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Publication date: 
2008
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