Geisler E. "The measurement of scientific activity: Research directions in linking philosophy of science and metrics of science and technology outputs" Scientometrics 62(2):269-284, February 2005.

[Eugene Garfield]

E. Geisler : e-mail : geisler at mail.stuart.iit.edu


Title: The measurement of scientific activity: Research directions in
linking philosophy of science and metrics of science and technology outputs

Author(s): Geisler E

Source: SCIENTOMETRICS 62 (2): 269-284 FEB 2005

Document Type: Article
Language: English
Cited References: 50      Times Cited: 0

Abstract:
The application of the measurement of scientific and technical activities
has been a lengthy process of the appropriate metrics and the assignment of
the standards and benchmarks for their usage. Although some studies have
addressed issues of the management of science and technology and their
relation to scientometrics and infometrics, there is nevertheless a need to
consider the linkages between the conceptual background of scientific
generation and progress - and the measurement of its process and outcomes.

This paper first reviews the three main approaches to the generation and
progress of human knowledge in general and scientific activity in
particular. These approaches are reviewed in terms of the demands they would
make on the measurement of scientific process and outputs.

The paper then examines the currently used categories of metrics, and
arrives at several conclusions. The paper provides an analysis of these
conclusions and their implications to the generation and utilization of
metrics of science and its outcomes. The review of the conceptual or
philosophical foundations for the measurement of science offers an in-depth
examination, resulting in the correlation of these foundations with the
metrics we now use to measure science and its outcomes. The paper suggests
research directions for a much needed link between theories of science and
knowledge, and the application of metrics used to measure them. Finally, the
paper offers several hypotheses and proposes potential empirical studies.


Addresses: Geisler E (reprint author), IIT, Stuart Grad Sch Business, 565 W
Adams St, Chicago, IL 60661 USA
IIT, Stuart Grad Sch Business, Chicago, IL 60661 USA

E-mail Addresses: geisler at stuart.iit.edu

Publisher: SPRINGER, VAN GODEWIJCKSTRAAT 30, 3311 GZ DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS

Subject Category: COMPUTER SCIENCE, INTERDISCIPLINARY APPLICATIONS;
INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE
IDS Number: 898IF
ISSN: 0138-9130

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