Basic introduction to bibliometrics, application overviews and list of bibliometric services provided by academic libraries.

1. Introduction
Bibliometrics
Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Senior Library Assistant
University Libraries: Bolus Herbarium
University of Cape Town
Awot K. Gebregziabher

2. Introduction to bibliometrics
Definition
Applications overview
Bibliometric services
Common terminologies mentioned
References

3. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
Jenny Delasalle (2011: 16)
“A bibliometric is simply a measure relating to publications.”
• publication count
• citation count and further analysis
• Research productivity and impact indicators
h-index, G-index, journal impact factor ...
Introduction to bibliometrics

4. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
Jenny Delasalle &
Plume, A. (2016)
Introduction to bibliometrics cont. …

5. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
Bibliometrics applications / main research areas
Glänzel (2003: 9) and Andrés (2009: 3-4)
1. Methodology research
2. Scientific Disciplines research (Scientific information)
3. Science Policy and Management Research
Introduction to bibliometrics cont. …

6. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
Introduction to bibliometrics: Bibliometric
applications cont. …
1. Methodology research
• Focus on development and improvement of
bibliometric indicators
• Research is conducted by bibliometricians

7. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
2. Scientific Disciplines research / Scientific information
• Focus on describing science using bibliometric
indicators
• Progress of a research topic area or trends
eg. “A bibliometric study of bioinformatics research in South
Africa.” by Molatudi, M., Molotja, N. & Pouris, A. 2009
• Can be conducted by researchers in any discipline
Introduction to bibliometrics: Bibliometric
applications cont. …

8. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
3. Science Policy and Management Research
• Bibliometric indicators are used to evaluate research
productivity and impact
• Governments and funding organizations use
bibliometric indicators to make decisions in their
resource allocation
Introduction to bibliometrics: Bibliometric
applications cont. …

9. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
3. Science Policy and Management Research
• Evaluation can be done at different levels
• Institution level, faculty level, research unit level,
individual researcher level
• Most bibliometric services in supporting research is
affiliated to this application
Introduction to bibliometrics: Bibliometric
applications cont. …

10. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
Bibliometric services in academic libraries
• Aim to empower researchers for increased
• Research productivity
• Throughout the research cycle
• Visibility
• Impact
Introduction to bibliometrics cont. …

11. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
• Bibliometric services provided worldwide
• Assisting with research productivity reports
• Publication count
• Impact analysis using research quality indicators
• h-index, Egghe’s g-index or alternative calculations for
humanities and social science researchers
Introduction to bibliometrics: Bibliometric
services cont. …

12. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
• Trend analysis for scientific topics over time
• Help in finding research collaborators
• Benchmarking with peers in another institution at any level
• Delivery of bibliometric trainings and education
• individuals
• Group
Introduction to bibliometrics: Bibliometric
services cont. …

13. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
• Bibliometric trainings include
• How to obtain productivity and impact indicators
• Strategies to produce more visible research product
• Selection of journal when planning to publish
• Use of social media and blogs
• Producing self help online resources
Introduction to bibliometrics: Bibliometric
services cont. …

14. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
Common terminologies mentioned
Informetrics: measure related to information in any form (Glänzel,
2003: 6)
Scientometrics: measure of science communication (Stuart, 2014:18)
Webometrics / Cybermetrics: measures related to use of information
on internet (Stuart, 2014: 17-18)
Altmetrics: alternative indicators that use social media mentions,
blogs, etc / Web 2.0 technologies (Stuart, 2014: 18-19)
Introduction to bibliometrics cont. …

15. Wednesday, 06 July 2016
Introduction to bibliometrics
References
• Andrés, A. 2009. Measuring academic research: how to undertake a bibliometric study. Oxford:
Chandos Publishing.
• Bladek, M. 2014. Bibilometrics services and the academic library: meeting the emerging needs of the
campus community. College & Undergraduate Libraries. 21(3): 330-344. DOI:
10.1080/10691316.2014.929066.
• Corrall, S., Kennan, M.A. & Afzal, W. 2013. Bibliometrics and research data management services:
emerging trends in library support for research. Library Trends. 61(3): 636-674. Available:
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1398361546?accountid=14500 [2015, June 17].
• Delasalle, J. 2011. Research evaluation: bibliometrics and the librarian. SCONUL Focus. 53: 15-19.
Available: http://www.sconul.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/5_1.pdf [2015, June 30].
• Delasalle, J. & Plume, A. 2016. Research impact metrics for librarians: calculation & context
[Webinar]. Available: https://libraryconnect.elsevier.com/library-connect-webinars [2016, July 04].
• Drummond, R. 2014. RIMS revisited: the evolution of the Research Impact Measurement Service at
UNSW Library. Australian Academic & Research Libraries. 45(4): 309-322. DOI:
10.1080/00048623.2014.945065.

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Introduction to bibliometrics
References
• Drummond, R. & Wartho, R. 2009. RIMS: the Research Impact Measurement Service at the
University of New South Wales. Australian Academic & Research Libraries. 40(2): 76-87. DOI:
10.1080/00048623.2009.10721387.
• Glänzel, W. 2003. Bibliometrics as a research field: a course on theory and application of bibliometric
indicators. Available: http://nsdl.niscair.res.in/jspui/bitstream/123456789/968/1/Bib_Module_KUL.pdf
[2016, July 06].
• Gumpenberger, C., Wieland, M. & Gorraiz, J. 2011. Bibliometric practices and activities at the
University of Vienna. Library Management. 33(3): 174-183. Available:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01435121211217199 [2015, June 17].
• Molatudi, M., Molotja, N. & Pouris, A. 2009. A bibliometric study of bioinformatics research in South
Africa. Scientometrics. 81(1):47-59. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11192-007-2048-6 [2015,
June 20].
• Stuart, D. 2014. Web metrics for library and information professionals. London: Facet Publishing.
• University of New South Wales Library. 2015. Research impact guide. Available:
http://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/researchimpact [2015, August 16].

17. Thank You