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Andres Ana.
Measuring Academic Research: How to Undertake a Bibliometric Study / A. Andres ; A. Andres. - UK : Chandos Publishing, 2009. - 169p. : ill.,tabl. - ISBN 978-1-84334-528-2
This book aims to illustrate the main analyses applied in bibliometric studies. The objective of bibliometrics is basically to assess scientific literature in a given field, hence its broad applicability to all manner of disciplines. Consequently, readers can choose an analysis from the present book according to the characteristics of their own research field. The step-by-step explanations about how to carry out a bibliometric study, together with the many examples of the different indices and analyses that can be performed, provide a comprehensive guide to the main methods used in bibliometrics. The book begins by defining bibliometrics and then considers the steps which must be taken before carrying out a bibliometric study. The following chapters focus on the specific analyses used to study the productivity of authors and journals. For example, we will see that it is possible to study collaborations between researchers, while the widespread use of citation analysis to evaluate scientific output will be considered with respect to both researchers and journals separately. The main limitations of the analyses shown will be discussed in order to give an overview of their uses and consequences in bibliometric research. Furthermore, it will be argued that a critical attitude should be adopted when choosing the most appropriate analysis for a bibliometric study.