Brief Communication The Research Method Used in Subfields and the Growth of Published Literature in Those Subfields: Vertebrate Paleontology and Geochemistry

This study investigated the relationship of the research method used in subject subfields and the growth of published literature in those subfields. Using a non- experimental design, an evaluative instrument was de- veloped for assigning a quantitative score to published research based on the research method utilized. Evaluative scores were assigned to 244 randomly se- lected research studies drawn from two scientific sub- fields manifesting different growth rates. The hypothe- sis tested was that a significant correlation exists between the presence of selected research method cri- teria in the published literature of a subfield and the growth rate of the published literature of that subfield. The two subfields studied were geochemistry and verte- brate paleontology. A Kendall tau c coefficient of 0.57182 (p < 0.00001) was obtained using ungrouped evaluation scores. Using grouped research methods' evaluation scores, a Kendall tau b coefficient of 0.41838 (p < 0.00001) was obtained. In both cases the major hy- pothesis was supported. The hypothesized relationship also remained substantially unchanged when possible effects of selected control variables (relating to author characteristics) were considered.