Bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics. Part 2. Object

Abstract

A simplified and sometimes vulgar understanding of the role of scientometrics in science management makes it necessary to better understand its essential characteristics. In this paper, scientometrics is considered in interrelations with bibliometrics and informetrics that are the fields of knowledge closest to it.In relation to bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics, this part discusses the representationof their object. Its reinterpretation using the modern broad meaning of the term “document” made us possible to come to the conclusion that there is (at least) the maximum convergence of interpretations of objects of bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics. In any case, such a comparative analysis of objects helps to identify both similarities and differences between these fields of knowledge, which is important, since their awareness is a very obvious initial condition for mutual conceptual enrichment (artificially diverged?) bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics with knowledge and concepts.Part 2 of the present paper provides examples of treating the objects of bibliometrics, scientometricsand informetrics using traditional interpretations of the concept of a “document”, followed by brief a review of the reinterpretation of this concept. However, consideration of the relationship of a “document” and “information” is much more detailed in the present work than it was performed in the author’s previous paper on this topic.