Publication activities within the context of scientific policy goals: The bibliometric analysis

Science  today  is the  key factor  of social  development and  focus of the government policy. The  published   and  globally  acknowledged research   results reflect  the  advance  of the  national  science.  The author  assesses the  publication activity of Russian scientists within  the  context  of the  goals  of the  national  sci-tech policy. The newness  and originality of the study lies in revealing  and analyzing  of intrinsic  and  extrinsic  factors  of publication   activity.  The author  applied the  method   of  comparing  bibliometric   indicators  to  characterize the  works  by Russian scientists in Scopus database.  The goals  of the  study  are: 1) to analyze publication  activity structure and dynamics; 2) to define  publication  impact;  and 3) to evaluate competitive strength and  potential of publication activity of Russian scientists as compared  to foreign researchers. Based on the bibliometric  indicators, the  author  reveals  heterodromous trends  in Russian science. Traditionally, Russian  science  maintains   its  positions  in the  share  of publications in leading journals,  with  the   fast  developing   life  sciences   increasing   the   total   number of publications; while the multidisciplinary  studies  make the most promising  vector. The author concludes  that despite  increasing  number of publications and their  impact,  their   contribution  to  the   global   science   continues  to  be  a  relevant problem.