Measuring Data Re-Use Through Dataset Citations in OpenAlex

Abstract

Open Data is a concept receiving increased attention and support in academic environments, with one justification being that shared data may be re-used in further research. But what evidence exists for such re-use, and what is the relationship between the producers of shared datasets and researchers making use of them? This work in progress uses dataset citations in the OpenAlex bibliometric database to analyze the relationship between creators of datasets and authors who cite them, at individual, institutional, and national levels. It finds that most countries cite US datasets more frequently than their own, and US-based institutions frequently make more use of other countries’ datasets than researchers producing citing works within those countries. It also finds a low rate of both self-citation and institution-matched citations for datasets. Understanding where and how the sharing of data between researchers, institutions, and countries takes place is essential to developing open research practices.