Smith, K; Marinova, D "Bibliometric modelling and policy making" MODSIM 2003: INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON MODELLING AND SIMULATION, VOLS 1-4ONOMIC SYSTEMS; VOL 4: GENERAL SYSTEMS. 2003. p.1177-1182 UNIV WESTERN AUSTRALIA, NEDLANDS

[Eugene Garfield]

Kerry Smith : K.Smith at curtin.edu.au

TITLE:          Bibliometric modelling and policy making (Article,
                English)
AUTHOR:         Smith, K; Marinova, D
SOURCE:         MODSIM 2003: INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON MODELLING AND
                SIMULATION, VOLS 1-4ONOMIC SYSTEMS; VOL 4: GENERAL
                SYSTEMS. 2003. p.1177-1182 UNIV WESTERN AUSTRALIA,
                NEDLANDS

SEARCH TERM(S):  GARFIELD E  rauth; BIBLIOMETR*  item_title;
                 GARFIELD E         LIBRI                  48:67    1998

KEYWORDS:       bibliometric modelling; policy setting; research
                performance
KEYWORDS+:       SCIENCE

ABSTRACT:       Bibliometric methods for analysing and describing
research output have been in existence and usage for over half a century.
This has been supported internationally by the establishment and
operations of organisations such as the Institute for Scientific
Information (ISI) and the continual release and calculations of journal
lists, bibliometric indicators and rankings. More recently bibliometric
analyses have responded to the changes posed by the growing field of
Internet publishing by incorporating some electronic versions of
journals. Policy makers in Australia have been relying on such
bibliometric information and analyses in making funding decisions and
encouraging the development of research potential and strengths. This
raises a number of concerns. Does bibliometric modelling of research
productivity reflect the real impact research has for Australia's future?
Is the electronic word in all its varieties overpowering the printed
word? Is the grey literature as important as the officially recognised
prestigious publications? Are the expectations policy makers, policy
executives and managers draw from bibliometric modelling justified? The
paper attempts to provide some answers to these questions based on a
study of three Australian research centres in the field of the
geosciences. The analysis reveals a number of anomalies in the
generalisations made when ISI models are used for policy decisions.

AUTHOR ADDRESS: K Smith, Murdoch Univ, Inst Sustainabil & Technol Policy,
                Perth, WA, Australia