How Can We Detect Star Scientists?: The classification and overall picture of star scientists in Japanfrom multiple viewpoints

Abstract

It is scientists who carry out scientific research. Particularly, scientists with outstanding research achievements are called "star scientists." Star scientists have not only an academic impact but also can have a substantial impact on society and the economy as previous works have suggested. However, there are no clear consensuses how to detect star scientists.

This paper proposes a method to detect star scientist from multiple viewpoints, including not only academic articles but also patents. We empirically show what classification of star scientist and the distribution in Japan based on our method. We also explain the transition of the distribution of star scientists in Japan during 30 years before and behind "Science and technology basic law" in 1995. Additionally, we focus on one of the categorized group of star scientists, all-rounder star group, who has both outstanding academic and practical achievements.