Imagine you’re a chef in the heart of Italy. The dishes you’ve been crafting have grown somewhat monotonous, and you’re itching for innovation – a culinary masterpiece that’ll astound your patrons. The question then becomes: What lies at the core of an exceptional recipe? Is it the classic Italian staples like tomatoes, cheese, and pasta? Or is it the allure of the unexpected, like lychee and quinoa?

This culinary conundrum mirrors a question posed by scientists Kuchenreuther et al. Instead of gastronomic ingredients, they delved into the ingredients that constitute a compelling scientific paper, which we term ”citations“.

Citations fall into two categories: those referencing work from a similar scientific domain and those branching out to entirely different disciplines. For instance, a paper on marine biology might naturally cite studies on coral reefs. However, it’d be quite the curveball for a discussion on quantum physics to pull references on ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

So, what’s the ideal blend of the familiar and the unfamiliar? Which papers have the highest impact?

The findings are enlightening: The papers that resonate most are those that predominantly cite works within their own realm but sprinkle in a handful from entirely different domains. It’s about achieving that perfect equilibrium.

Another enlightening finding from Kuchenreuther et al. centers on the collaborative nature of impactful scientific research. In stark contrast to the culinary world, where the saying “too many cooks spoil the broth” often rings true, in scientific academia, it seems the more minds at work, the better the outcome. Papers authored by teams, rather than solo researchers, showcased higher impact.

But at the end, the culinary question persists: Could dragon fruit be the next revolutionary topping for your Italian pizza? While observations can offer insights, imitation alone doesn’t guarantee a masterpiece.

 

Source:

Brian Uzzi et al. ,Atypical Combinations and Scientific Impact. Science 342, 468-472(2013). DOI:10.1126/science.1240474

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