Assessment of the scientific basis of interdisciplinary, applied research: Application of bibliometric methods in Nutrition and Food Research

We present the results of a study to assess crucial aspects and the strength of the scientific basis of a typically interdisciplinary, applied field: Nutrition and Food Research. Our approach is based on an advanced bibliometric analysis with novel elements to assess the influence and dissemination of research results and to measure interdisciplinarity. In order to adjust the contrast with ‘single-disciplinary’ research assessment, we represent application-oriented research by an interdisciplinary research profile that with a clear distinction between basic and applied research. Application of our approach to support an international audit of the Nutrition and Food Research Institute showed that advanced bibliometric analysis allows assessment beyond conventional academic standards. An important policy-relevant implication, strongly supported by the audit committee, is that realignment of an applied research institute toward a stronger market-orientation should not be at the expense of basic research. Not only is basic research the cradle of future applications, it acts also directly as an institutional visiting card for customers to show scientific thoroughness. A novel element is a disciplinary breakdown of knowledge dissemination by a research institute based on a field-specific analysis of all publications citing the work of the institute. It reveals the mutual boosting of applied and basic research. Particularly, the analysis of publications citing applied work can be regarded as a novel indicator for potential users of knowledge and with that, new markets. In this context, it is important to compare actors (e.g. countries, institutes) involved in citing publications with those involved in the institute’s international co-operation.