Patent Citation Data in Social Science Research: Overview and Best Practices / Adam B. Jaffe, Gaétan de Rassenfosse.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Jaffe, Adam B.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

de Rassenfosse, Gaétan.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w21868.

NBER working paper series no. w21868

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Other Title:

Patent Citation Data in Social Science Research

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2016.

Summary:

The last two decades have witnessed a dramatic increase in the use of patent citation data in social science research. Facilitated by digitization of the patent data and increasing computing power, a community of practice has grown up that has developed methods for using these data to: measure attributes of innovations such as impact and originality; to trace flows of knowledge across individuals, institutions and regions; and to map innovation networks. The objective of this paper is threefold. First, it takes stock of these main uses. Second, it discusses four pitfalls associated with patent citation data, related to office, time and technology, examiner, and strategic effects. Third, it highlights gaps in our understanding and offers directions for future research.

Notes:

Print version record

January 2016.