Sociology
The Matthew Effect in Science
Quick fact
Studies show that if you plot citations against a scientist’s publication count, the relationship is so skewed that the top 1% of researchers receive about 21% of all citations, a pattern consistent with the Matthew effect.
Why this is interesting
Ever wonder why the same famous scientists seem to win all the prizes? It’s not just their brilliance—it’s a hidden force that gives some researchers a head start and keeps them ahead.