Allen, MA. 2010. On the current obsession with publication statistics. SCIENCEASIA 36 (1): 1-5.

[Eugene Garfield]

Allen, MA. 2010. On the current obsession with publication statistics. 
SCIENCEASIA 36 (1): 1-5.

Author Full Name(s): Allen, Michael A.
Language: English
Document Type: Article

Author Keywords: citations; impact factor; h-index; bibliometrics; research 
assessment
KeyWords Plus: INDEX; IMPACT

Abstract: Crude publication statistics such as publication counts and impact 
factors are routinely being employed to assess individuals and institutions. 
Although they can play a role in an approximate preliminary assessment, using 
them for anything more is inappropriate due to their over-simplicity and ease of 
manipulation. Furthermore, it is argued that rewarding scientists for achieving 
high scores in such number-based evaluations ultimately leads to a slowing of 
scientific progress. Suggestions are given on how reliance on statistics can be 
reduced and their manipulation discouraged.

Addresses: Mahidol Univ, Fac Sci, Dept Phys, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Reprint Address: Allen, MA, Mahidol Univ, Fac Sci, Dept Phys, Rama 6 Rd, 
Bangkok 10400, Thailand.

E-mail Address: frmaa at mahidol.ac.th
ISSN: 1513-1874
DOI: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2010.36.001
Fulltext: http://www.scienceasia.org/content/viewabstract.php?
v=36&i=1&m=3&y=2010&aa=0