Humanities towards a bibliometrics framework

Abstract

In this article the possibility of using bibliometric measures to assess the study in the sciences is addressed. A review of past attempts to develop bibliometric research methods shows that differences in organizational, epistemological and research practices in the fields of research are all to be taken into consideration. In several areas of humanism, the dependence on collaborators, interdisciplinary and the rural nature of research is emphasized as factors that influence the application of bibliometric methods. Some particularly intriguing approaches as well as the possibility of establishing a Bibliometric for the humanities are addressed. In addition, the intellectual characteristics of some areas should be considered when developing performance metrics and the need of engaging science specialists in the process is underlined. Bibliometrics may be helpful to evaluate the wider impact of scientific research in the future and an assessment of citations can help us understand better how these disciplines are structured and evolved.