Publication indicators in Latin America revisited

This chapter discusses the implications of the structure and communication patterns of the Latin American scientific communities for the validity of p ublication indicators based exclusively on mainstream journal publication. Studies have suggested that scientists whose research is aimed toward advan cing universal knowledge rather than the solution of local problems play a dominant role in science policy and funding decisions and in the constructi on of scientific excellence in the region. Mainstream publication, consider ed characteristic of quality scientific work, is highly favored by Latin Am erican evaluation committees. For this reason, there is an urgent need to g enerate output indicators of quality work published in national and regiona l journals to give a more balanced picture of overall scientific achievemen ts. Efforts made toward achieving this goal are discussed along with the ne ed for further studies of the context and characteristics of science and te chnology in Latin America necessary for the generation of reliable and accu rate indicators of regional activity.