Citation Practices and Priorities of Environmental Science Researchers in Western Himalayan Region of India

Abstract

This study aimed to explore citation practices and priorities of environmental science researchers in the Western Himalayan Region of India through a bibliometric analysis of 23,292 sources cited in publications from 2012 to 2021. Employing Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny tools within R Studio, the research scrutinized citation behaviours, journal preferences, authorship patterns, and thematic orientations in the region.  Findings indicate a predominant reliance on journal articles (59.84%), emphasizing a preference for up-to-date, peer-reviewed research. The data reflects a strong international influence, with most citations from high-impact global journals. Additionally, the study reveals strong collaboration patterns, predominantly multi-authored works that support interdisciplinary research. Key themes identified include ‘climate change’, ‘biodiversity’, and ‘water resource management’, emphasizing their importance to the regional research agenda. Although limited to secondary citation data, this study provides critical insights for academics, policymakers, and practitioners, emphasizing the need for sustained interdisciplinary research and international collaboration to enhance sustainable environmental management in the Western Himalayan Region.