The bibliometric journey towards technological and social change: A review of current challenges and issues

Abstract

The current trends and challenges in the field of bibliometrics are reviewed. To do so, we take the reader along a bibliometric route with six stations: the explosion of databases, the inflation of metrics, its relationship to Data Science, searching for meaning, evaluative bibliometrics, and diversity and profession. This evaluation encompasses three dimensions of the bibliometrics field regarding research evaluation: the technological, the theoretical, and the social. Finally, we advocate for the principles of an evaluative bibliometrics, balancing the power of metrics with expert judgment and science policy.