Bibliometric Study of Balances of the Scientific Production in Special Education in the Brazilian Journal of Special Education (1999-2017)

ABSTRACT:

This paper presents the results of a research that sought answers to the following question: how are the analyzes of scientific production in Special Education published in the Brazilian Journal of Special Education (RBEE)? In order to answer the proposed question, a research was carried out that aimed to analyze the balance of scientific production in the field of Special Education published in RBEE in order to understand how this journal has contributed to the consolidation of knowledge in the 25 years of its trajectory. The objective of this study was to analyze the balance of scientific production in the field of Special Education published in RBEE to understand how this journal has contributed to the consolidation of knowledge in the 25 years of its trajectory. The research is bibliographical and exploratory-descriptive, as it aimed to examine the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of the scientific production selected for analysis. From the methodological point of view, two types of approaches were combined: bibliometric analysis and content analysis. The data source was papers of the scientific production balance (n = 60) published in RBEE in the period between 1999 and 2017. The results obtained were analyzed in relation to the following variables present in the revisions: temporality, authors and authorships, types of review and question of research, sources of information, search strategies, selection and inclusion, document typology, periods covered by the analyzes, categories and topics addressed. The study concluded that while review studies are necessary and relevant to assess the knowledge produced in the area of Special Education, they still need to be improved in their methodological aspects. Finally, suggestions were offered to authors, editors and evaluators of scientific papers aimed at improving the balance of scientific production.

KEYWORDS:
Special Education; Brazilian Journal of Special Education; Bibliometrics