Bibliometrics, Scientometrics and Informetrics. Part 3. Object (Ending)

Abstract

A simplified and sometimes vulgar understanding of the role of scientometrics in science management makes it necessary to better understand its essential characteristics. In this paper, scientometrics is considered in interrelations with bibliometrics and informetrics that are the fields of knowledge closest to it.In relation to bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics, this part discusses the representationof their object. Its reinterpretation using the modern broad meaning of the term “document” made us possible to come to the conclusion about (at least) the maximum convergence of interpretations of objects of bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics. In any case, such a comparative analysis of objects helps to identify both similarities and differences between these fields of knowledge, which is important, since their awareness is a very obvious initial condition for mutual conceptual enrichment (artificially diverged?) bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics with knowledge and concepts.The present, i. e. the third part of the paper provides examples of understanding the objects of bibliometrics, scientometrics, and informetrics using the modern, “broad” meaning of the concept of “document”. It is shown that with the use of this approach, the interpretations of the objects of bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics are even closer than with the use of the traditional one. Also, the cognitive capabilities of bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics are potentially expanded in this case. The ways of possible further research in this direction are outlined, taking into account the V. S. Stepin’s viewpoints on the subject of research as a concept dependent on the applied methods, and on the empirical object asthe essence allocated in connection with the tasks of cognition.