Informetrics

Informetrics is the study of the application of mathematical (especially statistical ) methods to the facts of the information system for measuring (especially quantification ) mostly scientific production. The Informetrie is thus the metrics of computer science or information science and is often used as a generic term for Bibliometrics and Scientometrics.

In the literature the terms Informetrik, Bibliometrics and Scientometrics be used the same name in the rule. The Informetrics, which is also known as Infometrie, Informetrik or info metric is often used as a collective term for all three areas. All of them offer measurement methods that capture the efficiencies and the effect of structure of the relevant scientific disciplines. So the Informetrie information science is assigned as the bibliometrics of library science and the science of science Scientometrics. It will be assigned the appropriate mathematical methods and procedures of each discipline, which arise overlaps.

• 2.1 Applications
• 2.2 methods
• 2.3 Example

History

Term

The informetrics as the measure of [Greek métron ] information science unites all mathematical and logical laws, which reflect correlations between situations of information science. For information sector includes in particular the information science and the computer science. Originally fell scientific work in relation to the information being covered by the term bibliometrics. Bibliometrics, however, described the library science basically. Because recent developments and research located further away from this discipline, had to describe the area a new name.

In 1979 Otto Nacke the concept Informetrics. He was referring to a new scientific discipline that clearly differs from the Bibliometrics and Scientometrics.

In 1984, the All-Union Institute for Scientific and Technical Information in Moscow ( VINITI ), a committee headed Nackes one. This stipulated that the Informetrics Scientometrics and should carry the same connotation.

In 1988, the Informetrie used on the 1st International Conference on Bibliometrics and Theoretical Aspects of Information Retrieval as a generic term for Bibliometrics and Scientometrics.

Today, the Informetrie refers to all three areas, and in addition to the classic scientific communication studies. This reference is formed at the portions in the first line by using the same methods.

Conferences

The first International Conference on Bibliometrics and Theoretical Aspects of Information Retrieval was developed by Leo Egghe organized held in Belgium in August 1987. This was followed by the 1989 International Conference on Bibliometrics, Scientometrics and Informetrics in Ontario and in 1991 the International Conference on Informetrics in Bangalore. At the International Conference on Bibliometrics, Informetrics and Scientometrics from 11 to 15 September 1993 in Berlin, the International Society for Scientometrics and Informetrics ( ISSI ) was founded. The ISSI held since two years the International Conference of the International Society for Scientometrics and Informetrics in River Forest, Illinois (1995 ), Jerusalem ( 1997), Colima, Mexico ( 1999), Sydney (2001 ), Beijing (2003) and Stockholm (2005 ). The last ISSI Conference 2007 took place in Madrid.

Informetric analysis

Objects of study are the Informetrie publications. These can be of authors, a (research ) group, an institution, a subject area, country or region. Depending on the type of publication, according to information medium, method and field another part of the field of informetrics is addressed.

Applications

In the first Informetrie relevant works are determined, which are then examined based on different methods. Relevant works mostly arise by certain characteristics, which should have the work. Subsequently, a further selection can be made by a ranking method. Key literature can be determined. Ranking method according to specific criteria allow you to provide information about the creditworthiness of magazines, researchers, institutions or regions. Historical developments of scientific disciplines are pointed out with the help of Informetrics. It is further found to be in what time frame works of certain areas still being used. By informetric studies cost and purchase amount will be charged for libraries, including the definition of the works may also take place informetrisch. The Informetrie can reveal networks of scientific collaboration.

Like all statistical studies must always be interpreted with caution, the informetrischen. After a informetrischen study, a scientist can indeed have a high priority, but this does not necessarily mean that he is the best in its field. The following reasons may be for this reason:

• A scientist delivers mediocre posts, but published in prestigious journals, thus it gains reach.
• A scientist is unknown, but knows a famous scientist who wants to co- publish with him or just his name is available. Thus, scientists are looking for the more established names and repel at the same time on the texts of the unknown. These are then quoted.
• Certain scientists circuits remain in citation behavior among themselves.
• A scientist has acquired a certain reputation, so he is often cited, although his contributions to science current are not outstanding.
• A scientist quotes herself This can informetric analyzes are manipulated.

Methods

The power and input of a person or organization can be measured most simply by the number of works. An indicator of university facilities may be the number of visits by guest professors or the number of graduates. However, a large number gives no indication of quality. Because quality takes time and contrary to mass productions. However, it is possible to take appropriate informetric elite locate quality. One might, for example, only select journals in which one resorts to the process of peer review. Here scientific papers are reviewed by peers and judges. The evaluation, however, depends strongly on the respective experts.

Other methods are also the citation analysis and impact factor. In the citation counts how often a scientist, a magazine or an institution is cited by other scientists, journals or institutions. Here, it is assumed that there is often cited articles are significant and are therefore quoted. The impact factor is a part of the citation analysis and describes a mathematical expression of the efficiency of a instance.

Example

Here is a possible result of informetrischen examination series. A main objective in this investigation was to make the most important journal of Information Management identified.

The rank is based here on the citation, the impact factor indicates more information about the efficiency of the magazine.

Journals

Important journals for the field of Informetrics Scientometrics are incorporated in Hungary to 1978 ( ISSN 0138-9130, ) in the field of scientometrics, the online journal CyberMetrics - International Journal of Scientometrics, Informetrics and Bibliometrics ( ISSN 1137-5019, ) from the field of webometrics and the Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology ( JASIST, ISSN 1532-2882 ) from the field of information science. For 2007, the Journal of Informetrics is planned to be a quarterly publication and is completely focused on the Informetrie to devote.