This paper analyses the research activity of Spanish economists in the period 1990-1995,b y reference to papers published by these researchers in national and intemational joumals. The scientific characteristics of the published papers are studied using unidimensional and multidimensional bibliometric indicators. The results obtained show the significant increase of papers published in intemational joumals, although this increase only occurs in some areas. The collaboration among authors and institutions is also studied, showing a greater collaboration when the research papers have been published in intemational joumals. As a general conclusion, the research pattems of Spanish economists are different, depending on the national or international scope of the source in which their papers were published.

Keywords: research activity in economics, bibliometric indicators, scientific publications, scientific collaboration.
JEL classification: A11, A13.