A categorization of arguments for counting methods for publication and citation indicators

TY - JOUR

T1 - A categorization of arguments for counting methods for publication and citation indicators

AU - Gauffriau, Marianne

PY - 2017/8

Y1 - 2017/8

N2 - Most publication and citation indicators are based on datasets with multi-authored publications and thus a change in counting method will often change the value of an indicator. Therefore it is important to know why a specific counting method has been applied. I have identified arguments for counting methods in a sample of 32 bibliometric studies published in 2016 and compared the result with discussions of arguments for counting methods in three older studies. Based on the underlying logics of the arguments I have arranged the arguments in four groups. Group 1 focuses on arguments related to what an indicator measures, Group 2 on the additivity of a counting method, Group 3 on pragmatic reasons for the choice of counting method, and Group 4 on an indicator's influence on the research community or how it is perceived by researchers.

AB - Most publication and citation indicators are based on datasets with multi-authored publications and thus a change in counting method will often change the value of an indicator. Therefore it is important to know why a specific counting method has been applied. I have identified arguments for counting methods in a sample of 32 bibliometric studies published in 2016 and compared the result with discussions of arguments for counting methods in three older studies. Based on the underlying logics of the arguments I have arranged the arguments in four groups. Group 1 focuses on arguments related to what an indicator measures, Group 2 on the additivity of a counting method, Group 3 on pragmatic reasons for the choice of counting method, and Group 4 on an indicator's influence on the research community or how it is perceived by researchers.

KW - cs.DL

U2 - 10.1016/j.joi.2017.05.009

DO - 10.1016/j.joi.2017.05.009

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1751-1577

VL - 11

SP - 672

EP - 684

JO - Journal of Informetrics

JF - Journal of Informetrics

IS - 3

ER -