Treating bibliometric indicators with caution: their dependence on the source database

Abstract

No~vrrrlrrys, with conzputer-supported rrnrrlysis of rlrrtrrbnses, constructing biblionretric or scientonteiric inrlicrrtors nrny be consirlered errsy. Theprobleni is nzore to serify the nccurrrcy of tire globnl anrrlysis, including the sany~ling of drrtrr. The global coherence of rm analysis depends on tlte nrlequrrcy of rrll the steps. Using on-line drrtnbrrses, nn experinlent ~vrrs rlesigned to denwnstrrrte this. Keeping the sang protocol for dnta collec.tion, the srrnte inrlicrrtors rrre user1 oser the ~lrrrious smzples. he resultsfronr three sepnrnfe rlrrtrrbrrses are profounrlly rZi&ferent. I, Quoninm. I l l<ostaing and I I Dou are at CRRM I:acr~llC St Jc;rbme. 13397 Marseille. CE1)F.X 20. Fraticc. E-mail: crrti~.~crrm.univ-111rs.ti; E Boutin is at Cctitrc dc rcchcrclic 1-EI'ONT. BP 133. F-83957.l.a Gardc C E D I X , France. 'Ilic authors tvould like to ~h a~i k both Dialog Information Scrticcs (3460 IIillvictv At.. PO 130s 10010, Pale Allo, CA 94303. USA) arid INIS'I' (3 allCc du pare dc brabois. 54514 Vandocuvrc-lcs-Nnticy, C E I X X. I'rancc) for tlicir valuablc liclp.

Influence of Latin American journals coverage by international databases

“…The wider the coverage of the database, the nearer to reality the results will be, so the use of several databases for evaluation purposes, including national databases, gives the most accurate information. 16 Other alternative channels of communication should also be considered, particularly in disciplines where reports or other vehicles are frequently used. The need to design special indicators suitable to measure scientific activity of peripheral countries is stressed, as has already been proposed in previous debates.…”