A bibliometric analysis of the Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Física

Abstract

In this study, we carried out a bibliometric analysis of the Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Física (RBEF) for the years 2000 to 2023. We analyzed the total number of papers published per year and per section; the frequency of physics content citations; identification of the level of teaching in the published papers; the frequency of publication by institution, by Brazilian region, and by foreign institutions. The average number of articles published has increased significantly over the years, with the General Articles section being the most sought after by authors. The Southeast region has the highest concentration of publications, with 12.5% linked to USP. We analyzed the keywords registered in the articles since 2004. The results indicate a wide dispersion of terms, which in most cases characterize the content covered; also showing trends in publications and authors’ preferences. The frequency of publications on contemporary issues shows a timid presence of articles discussing gender, inclusion, climate and environmental issues; and an absence of works on diversity and decolonialism. Overall, the data indicate that the RBEF is an important vehicle for debate in the physics community, giving voice to authors and researchers from different backgrounds and tendencies.

keywords
Bibliometric analysis; Brazilian Journal of Physics Education; Overview