Scientific output of universities in southern Peru: a Scopus-based bibliometric study (2019–2023)

Abstract

This study analyzes research trends in licensed universities of the Southern Macro-Region of Peru between 2019 and 2023, based on Scopus data processed through SciVal. In light of persistent regional gaps in scientific visibility and performance, a bibliometric analysis was conducted on 14 institutions, considering the number of publications and the Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) across 27 subject areas. The results show sustained growth in scientific output, although with marked differences between universities and disciplines. Some institutions stand out in fields such as Health Professions and Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, while others show low impact in strategic areas like Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Business. These findings highlight the need for differentiated research-strengthening policies. It is recommended to develop bibliometric analysis units to improve the quality, relevance, and visibility of regional scientific production.