“Citation classics” analysis: An approach to characterizing interdisciplinary research

The Science Indicators series has paid little heed to interdisciplinary research. This article seeks (1) to distinguish multi‐ or interdisciplinary (IDR) research from single or monodisciplinary research, and (2) to characterize IDR, i.e., begin to describe how it differs from other research. A peculiar population of “over‐cited” articles is defined by the Institute for Scientific Information's “Citation Classics.” A sample of 1981 classics (which appear weekly in Current Contents ) was examined for suspected interdisciplinary (IDR) content and/or usage. Between 10 and 20% were identified as possibly IDR. A subsample of these was traced through SCI and JCR categories to construct 10‐year citation histories. Content analysis of subject category concentration was also performed. We conclude that citation of a classic follows no set pattern. Time‐ and category‐sensitive indicators are discussed.