Comparing Dual Time-Point Retrieval of Scopus Data on Malaysian University Research

Aims: This paper aims to contribute to pedagogical use of computational technologies by educators at post graduate level by investigating on the consistency of Scopus data generated at different retrieval time. “Dual time point retrieval” refers to the process of retrieving the same dataset from a database at two different times to analyze consistency or changes. The investigation compares dual time point retrieval of Scopus publication published before 2011. The retrieved data were both on publication published before 2011, but retrieved at two different times. The first retrieval was in 2011 and the second retrieval was in 2024. Note that both datasets are of the same parameter as the aim of this study is to investigate on the consistency of data generated at different retrieval time. Study Design: The study design is bibliometric. Place and Duration of Study: The study involves Scopus publication by the Malaysian private and the public universities published before 2011, Methodology: The first set of data on publication published prior to 2011 data was retrieved in real time back in 2011 and the second set of data on publication published prior to 2011 was retrieved again in 2024. The two sets of data retrieved at dual time point were compared for similarities the differences in the dual time retrieval. In this study the time lapse of the dual time retrieval is more than a decade. The study employed a query search on the Malaysian universities affiliation using Scopus database. Results: Findings shows that different retrieval time do generate different results. The differences are contributed to factors like change in spelling of the university name, exclusion of journals from the database, new inclusion of journals in the database, change of affiliation by the authors, and consolidation of accounts by the universities. The findings bring forth steps for periodic affiliation and author profile consolidation in Scopus, and merging of multiple author profiles on the institutional profiles. Conclusion: The study implicates that retrieval point of time must be considered in bibliometric study. Higher education researchers, Librarians, and University Research Management Centers should consider for periodic affiliation and author profiles consolidation in the various research database. This is to ensure a more accurate representation of their research output and metrics as such actions improve the visibility and impact of authors and institution.