DATASET -Volume and Co-presence of Disciplinary Areas across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Scientific Contribution and Impact of the Spanish Private University System (2015–2023)

Dataset Description This dataset supports a bibliometric study based on the Web of Science (WoS) that aims to characterize the scientific contribution and impact of the Spanish private university system to research on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the period 2015–2023. The main objective of the study is to analyze the volume of scientific production, its disciplinary distribution, and the co-presence of interdisciplinary research related to the SDGs. In particular, the dataset allows for the identification of thematic concentrations and interdisciplinary linkages by examining how different WoS Meso disciplinary areas co-occur across SDG-oriented research outputs. This research is framed within the R&D&I project “Spanish Universities in the Media (MECU-ESP): Methodological Strategies and Web Tool for the Study and Classification of News Dissemination” (PID2023-153339NA-I00), funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, co-funded by the European Union through the State Research Agency, and coordinated by the University of Málaga (Spain). Data Collection and ProcessingThe data were extracted from the InCites database and the Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate Analytics) and subsequently compiled into a single Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) file. The content of the dataset is provided in Spanish. The dataset enables a comprehensive evaluation of the co-presence between SDGs and WoS Meso disciplinary areas, grouping SDGs that are commonly analyzed together in the literature according to social, environmental, natural, and health-related dimensions. This structure facilitates the visualization and analysis of interdisciplinary patterns and highlights the disciplinary areas with the highest volume of SDG-related scientific output produced by private universities within the Spanish higher education system. ContentsThe dataset includes the following file: SDG-related scientific production of Spanish private universities by WoS Meso disciplinary areas This file covers the co-occurrence of WoS Meso disciplinary areas across the volume of scientific production related to the 17 SDGs during the period 2015–2023. Additionally, SDGs are grouped into social, environmental, and health-related areas to support higher-level thematic analysis. Technical DetailsFormat: Microsoft Excel (.xlsx)Language of the file: SpanishData sources: InCites (Clarivate Analytics); Web of Science Core CollectionGeographical coverage: Spain (Private Universities)Time coverage: 2015–2023. Potential UsesThis dataset can serve as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and academic administrators interested in evaluating the role of Spanish private universities in advancing the global sustainability agenda through scientific research. In particular, it supports analyses of disciplinary strengths, interdisciplinary copresence and strategic research positioning related to the SDGs.