Overview

Can the methods of science be directed toward science itself? How did it happen that scientists, scientific documents, and their bibliographic links came to be regarded as mathematical variables in abstract models of scientific communication? What is the role of quantitative analyses of scientific and technical documentation in current science policy and management? Bibliometrics and Citation Analysis: From the Science Citation Index to Cybermetrics answers these questions through a comprehensive overview of theories, techniques, concepts, and applications in the interdisciplinary and steadily growing field of bibliometrics. Since citation indexes came into the limelight during the mid-1960s, citation networks have become increasingly important for many different research fields. The book begins by investigating the empirical, philosophical, and mathematical foundations of bibliometrics, including its beginnings with the Science Citation Index, the theoretical framework behind it, and its mathematical underpinnings. It then examines the application of bibliometrics and citation analysis in the sciences and science studies, especially the sociology of science and science policy. Finally it provides a view of the future of bibliometrics, exploring in detail the ongoing extension of bibliometric methods to the structure and dynamics of the World Wide Web. This book gives newcomers to the field of bibliometrics an accessible entry point to an entire research tradition otherwise scattered through a vast amount of journal literature. At the same time, it brings to the forefront the cross-disciplinary linkages between the various fields (sociology, philosophy, mathematics, politics) that intersect at the crossroads of citation analysis. Because of its discursive and interdisciplinary approach, the book is useful to those in every area of scholarship involved in the quantitative analysis of information exchanges, but also to science historians and general readers who simply wish to familiarize them

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9780810867130

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Reviews

This book is particularly recommended for practicing bibliometricians to gain a historical overview of their field, for humanities-oriented scholars of bibliometrics as a way of engaging with the key debates of the field, and for policy makers and research managers who need to understand bibliometrics because of its use within their sphere of operations. It is well-written, authoritative, and valuable ... This book would be an excellent text for students enrolled in an academic librarianship course because it provides a good overview of the complex issues academic librarians face in today's environment. This book is a testament to all the researchers and practitioners who are trying to ensure that academic librarians meet the needs of their clientele. Library and Information Science Research A broad and enjoyable introduction to the history, theory and techniques of bibliometrics. Higher Education Academy: Information and Computer Sciences, August 2009

This book is particularly recommended for practicing bibliometricians to gain a historical overview of their field, for humanities-oriented scholars of bibliometrics as a way of engaging with the key debates of the field, and for policy makers and research managers who need to understand bibliometrics because of its use within their sphere of operations. It is well-written, authoritative, and valuable ... This book would be an excellent text for students enrolled in an academic librarianship course because it provides a good overview of the complex issues academic librarians face in today's environment. This book is a testament to all the researchers and practitioners who are trying to ensure that academic librarians meet the needs of their clientele. Library & Information Science Research A broad and enjoyable introduction to the history, theory and techniques of bibliometrics. Higher Education Academy: Information and Computer Sciences, August 2009

Author Information

Nicola De Bellis is a medical librarian at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

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