Category: Developing Latin America

Scientific evaluation models in Latin America and the criteria for assessing researchers

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We analyzed the scientific evaluation systems from 19 Latin American countries for developing a general evaluation model. We compared this model with bibliometric, economic and educational indicators, confirming the importance of supporting science, research, education and innovation

Abstract: This article analyzes the importance of scientific evaluation in Latin America, by identifying the institutions regulating it in each country, reviewing their strategic objectives for recognizing researchers and analyzing the use of diverse evaluation criteria. From a documentary analysis of the models for evaluating researchers in 19 countries, we unified the activities and products that are considered in these countries and we developed a general model for evaluating researchers, which consists of six dimensions and 39 criteria that allow characterizing the ways in which researchers’ activities are evaluated in the region. Finally, we compared the model’s criteria with data from bibliometric, economic and educational indicators.

Complete text available at SagePublications

Recommended reference: Delgado, R.-M., Tarango, J., & Machin-Mastromatteo, J. D. (2020). Scientific evaluation models in Latin America and the criteria for assessing researchers. Information Development, 36(3), 457–467. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666920943966

 

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Bibliometrics units as dynamic engines for universities’ scientific production

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New publication! We analyzed the dynamic role that a bibliometrics research unit can have for boosting any higher-education institution’s scientific production, a case study on Unidad de Investigación en Bibliometría – USIL co-written with my friends Josmel Pacheco-Mendoza and Joe Alway https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0266666920918466

Abstract: In this article, we review the process behind the establishment of the Bibliometrics Research Unit at the San Ignacio de Loyola University (Peru), as a specialized unit that has aided in enhancing its university’s scientific production and research practices. The Unit’s functions and its role as a dynamic engine for scientific production are also presented and discussed under the Peruvian and Latin American contexts.

Complete text at Sage Publications

Recommended citation: Pacheco-Mendoza, J., Alhuay-Quispe, J., & Machin-Mastromatteo, J. D. (2020). Bibliometrics units as dynamic engines for universities’ scientific production. Information Development, 36(2), 301–305. http://doi.org.conricyt.remotexs.co/10.1177/0266666920918466

 

Developing Latin America 5th anniversary

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I wanted to share this with you in a special post. In 2015 we had the desire of making Latin America’s issues more present in one of the most important and long-lasting international Library and Information Science journals: Information Development. This regular series, supported by its editor and colleagues in the editorial board just turned five years with its 24th article, published yesterday. I want to thank all readers and my coauthors (alphabetical): Dominique Babini, Mtro Cortés, Rene-Manuel Delgado, Iram Evangelista, Thelma García, Fidel Gonzalez-Quiñones, Renny Granda, Jesus Lau, Basilio A. Martínez-Villa, Eduardo Medina Yllescas, Erbey Mendoza Negrete, Saul M Equihua, Maria Pinto, Marie Romero Waldon, José R. Romo, Gloria Ruiz, Javier Tarango, Myrna Li & Alejandro Uribe Tirado. Special thanks to IDV’s editor Stephen Parker, as well as Paul Sturges and Ian Johnson who supported this idea from the start. Cheers to all of you!

 

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You can check Developing Latin America at http://bit.ly/DLA15-19 and half of the articles are in open access (E-LIS/SSRN), soon I’ll catch up adding them all!

 

2019’s Latin American Triple-A journals

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Bon appétit!

The rise of reading and conversation clubs during Chihuahua’s violent times

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We present the experience of Chihuahua’s reading and conversation clubs, as a citizen initiative that emerged to reconquer the city spaces that were seized by violence, as well as the role of the Tips, Talks and Topics radio show.

Abstract: This article presents the generation of reading and conversation clubs in Chihuahua city (Mexico), which emerged from spontaneous initiatives by citizens, as a response to one of the most violent periods faced in the city. This report was developed with information gathered during interviews with members of reading and conversation clubs about their experiences, at the Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua’s radio station (Radio University), in the ‘Tips, Talks and Topics’ weekly show.

Full text at Sage Publications

Recomended reference: Machin-Mastromatteo, J. D., & Coughanour, G. L. R. (2019). The rise of reading and conversation clubs during Chihuahua’s violent times. Information Development, 35(3), 503–506. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666919855147

What is Latin American? Literary perspectives for reflecting on our identity

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We published with Dr. Iram Evangelista, Dr. Erbey Mendoza Negrete and myself, an analysis of six Latin American identity traits from the perspective of four contemporary writers.

Abstract: This article presents certain Latin American traits from the works of four prestigious and contemporary Latin American writers: Gioconda Belli, Gonzalo Rojas, Augusto Monterroso y Juan José Arreola. The traits discussed include politics, the religious cult, the messianic vision, family, couples and the father figure. We argue that it is very important for people to understand their own culture and identity, to explore and not abandon the conversations about their countries’ literary works, as they reflect, report and critique them.

Full text available at Sage Publications

Recomended reference: Evangelista-Ávila, I. I., Mendoza, E., & Machin-Mastromatteo, J. D. (2019). What is Latin American? Literary perspectives for reflecting on our identity. Information Development, 35(2), 342–346. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666919828979

Latin American academic and research Think Tanks: Characterization of a model and its presence in the region

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Our second article of the year #WeAreOnFire, where we perform a regional diagnostic of the Latin American institutions that can be considered as academic and research think tanks.

Abstract: This article presents a general overview of the Think Tank model, including its conceptualization and main types. Then, it focuses on the academic and research Think Tanks that are located in Latin America, by identifying the existing ones per country, presenting their tendencies and by analyzing them from the perspective of their organizational, financial, informational, educational, technical, human capital and knowledge generation resources. This contribution also identifies Latin American academic and research Think Tanks’ competitive advantages and their differences from traditional educational models.

Full text at Sage Publications

Recomended reference: Tarango, J., Delgado, R., & Machin-Mastromatteo, J.D. (2019). Latin American academic and research Think Tanks: Characterization of a model and its presence in the region. Information Development, 35(1), 165–170.

Recovering troubled cities through public spaces and libraries: The Caracas Metropolitan Strategic Plan 2020

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Sin título

Together with my fellow contryman, Renny Granda, public libraries’ own knight, we published the third part of the Caracas Trilogy (see first part and second part), where we invite you to reflect upon the question: could public spaces and libraries help us reducing violence in Latin American cities?

Abstract: The Caracas Metropolitan Strategic Plan 2020 (CMSP2020) is an instance of urban and environmental planning that seeks to construct a collective ‘city pact’ for Caracas, currently among the most troubled and violent cities in Latin America. Its main idea is to recover the city through the rescue of its public spaces, by centering on six strategic axes for transforming Caracas: accessibility and mobility; public safety, public spaces and housing improvement; environmental sustainability; productivity and entrepreneurship; governability; and the development of a constructive and responsible citizenship. This model, partly inspired by Medellin’s Library Parks, may be useful for other large cities in the region that suffer similar socio-political fractures, as well as accessibility, mobility, environmental, productive, governance and safety issues.

Full text at Sage Publishing

Open Access version (Coming soon!)

Recommended reference: Granda, R., and Machin-Mastromatteo, J. D. (2018). Recovering troubled cities through public spaces and libraries: The Caracas Metropolitan Strategic Plan 2020. Information Development, 34(1), 103–107. http://doi.org/10.1177/0266666917741069

 

Latin American triple-A journals 1: A quality roadmap from the quality indicators and journals’ presence in Web of Science and Scopus

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The new Developing Latin America, co-authored with Javier Tarango and Eduardo Medina-Yllescas is out. In this issue, we analyze the current presence of Latin American journals in Web of Science and Scopus, as the first part of a quality roadmap intended to strengthen regional publications, especially those that have started as institutional publications. Dedicated to the loving memory of Cristobal Salvador Gómez Contreras (1992-2017).

Abstract: The current presence of Latin American journals in Web of Science and Scopus is analyzed, as the first part of a quality roadmap intended to strengthen regional publications, especially those that have started as institutional publications. The next issue will study the quality requirements and journals’ presence in other recognized indexes and platforms such as Scimago Journal and Country Rank, the Directory of Open Access Journals, Latindex, SciELO, and RedALyC.

Full text at Sage Publishing

Open Access version

Recommended reference: Machin-Mastromatteo, J. D., Tarango, J., and Medina-Yllescas, E. (2017). Latin American triple-A journals 1: A quality roadmap from the quality indicators and journals’ presence in Web of Science and Scopus. Information Development, 33(4), 436-441. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0266666917718138

Subordinated Complacency, Ferocious Rivalry, or Equitable Work: On the Independence and Separation of State Powers

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Now in #OpenAccess, 2017’s ‘On the Independence and Separation of State Powers’, written with Basilio A. Martínez-Villa. Original English version: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3466595

Abstract: This article presents three deviations from the Separation of Powers Principle (trias politica) as they have taken place in Mexico and Venezuela: the increment in the amount of state powers, the subordination of powers to the agenda of a unique political tendency with the subsequent nullification of the power that is acting in an independent way, and the creation of constitutional autonomous institutes or entities. It suggests that governments can become complex self-referential systems that avoid public consultation of political decisions and the free formation of citizens’ informed and educated opinions that are much needed for a country’s development in a democracy.

Full text at Sage Publications

Open Access version

Suggested citation: Machin-Mastromatteo, J.D., & Martinez-Villa, B.A. (2017). Subordinated complacency, ferocious rivalry, or equitable work: On the independence and separation of State powers, Information Development, 33(2), 210-218. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666916688296