Open Science and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Bibliometric Study in Mexico

Abstract

This paper analyses the relationship between Open Science (OS) practices and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), on the assumption that OS practices may contribute to their achievement. A bibliometric study examines research publications in OS and traditional science at a public university in Mexico, focusing on gender, academic discipline, and publication volume. Publications from 2021, based on 745 affiliated researchers, were analysed using Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) indexes. Findings suggest researchers use OS and traditional publishing practices almost equally, with OS practices gaining importance. Researchers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as well as medical sciences show the highest Open Access (OA) publishing rates, while the percentage of male researchers publishing in open access exceeds that of female researchers. Regarding the SDGs, the highest number of OA publications were linked to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), a pattern consistently observed in both WoS and Scopus. In conclusion, this study provides a first descriptive insight into the adoption of OS practices in a Mexican public university and highlights their potential role in promoting equity in scientific production and contributing to the dissemination of research linked to the SDGs.