Research on Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Behavior of Nobel Prize Laureates in the Field of Natural Sciences

Authors

• GAO Zhi, Tianjin Chengjian University Library, Tianjin 300384
• Gang SUN, Tianjin Chengjian University Library, Tianjin 300384

Keywords

Nobel Prize laureates, interdisciplinary research, academic influence, interdisciplinary characteristics, natural sciences field

Abstract

[Purpose/significance] This study explores the evolutionary patterns of interdisciplinary research behavior among Nobel Prize laureates in natural sciences over their careers and its impact on academic performance, aiming to provide theoretical foundations and policy implications for the cultivation of high-level scientific talents and the management of interdisciplinary research. [Method/process] The study focuses on Nobel Prize laureates in natural sciences who began publishing papers since 1960. Using panel data models, it analyzes the authorship patterns, volume, interdisciplinarity, and academic impact of interdisciplinary publications from a career perspective. [Result/conclusion] The interdisciplinary behavior of Nobel Prize laureates in natural sciences exhibits significant stage-based evolution and role differentiation, the peaks for non‑interdisciplinary publications and first‑author interdisciplinary collaborative publications are concentrated in the early stage of academic career, while the peaks for interdisciplinary publications and non-first-author interdisciplinary collaborative publications are concentrated in the late stage of academic career. Among the three authorship patterns of interdisciplinary publications, non-first-author collaborative publications have the largest volume, the highest level of interdisciplinarity, and make the most significant contribution to academic impact. This study reveals the interdisciplinary growth logic of “establishing a foothold first and then crossing disciplinary boundaries” among natural sciences Nobel Prize laureates. It confirms that the value of interdisciplinary research depends on knowledge integration through team collaboration. Recommendations include training and evaluation for young academic talents shall be staged by career phases; interdisciplinary research governance shall move past individual cross-disciplinary incentives toward collaborative team construction; and the evaluation of interdisciplinary work shall shift from identity-based judgment to contribution-based measurement.

First Page

34

Last Page

43

Submission Date

30-Mar-2026

Revision Date

13-May-2026

Acceptance Date

29-May-2026

Published Date

1-Oct-2026

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Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.19809/j.cnki.kjqbyj.2026.04.004

Recommended Citation

Zhi, GAO and SUN, Gang (2026) "Research on Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Behavior of Nobel Prize Laureates in the Field of Natural Sciences," Journal of Scientific Information Research: Vol. 8: Iss. 4, Article 4.
DOI: 10.19809/j.cnki.kjqbyj.2026.04.004
Available at: https://eng.kjqbyj.com/journal/vol8/iss4/4