Scientometrics Today: A Methodological Overview

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Abstract
The paper considers the current state of scientometrics, in methodological context, as a branch of the discipline “science of science”. Discusses its fields of study; the wider thematic scope of scientometrics; the specific research instruments, objects /and indicators, related to them – “input” and “output” ones/, the empirical basis, and explanatory abilities of scientometrics. Some classifications of scientometric methods are also introduced. Further, the methodological peculiarities, limitations, and problems of scientometric research are presented, such as multifactorial dependence, permanent rearrangements of the factors, subjectivity of the measuring results, non-additivity of the empirical data, availability of two types of variables – indicators and latent variables, theoretical importance of the empirical indicators, etc. The interrelations and interactions between scientometrics and other research disciplines /as sociology of science, information sciences, philosophy of science, economics, linguistics, etc./ are also considered in the paper. Some modern tendencies in scientometric studies are also highlighted, too. Concludes that the scientometrics becomes an especially perspective part of the general “science of science”, and a powerful tool of the research and innovation policy.

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