SCIENTOMETRICS; 2011; 89(1):301 - 314

A recursive field-normalized bibliometric performance indicator: an application to the field of library and information science

Authors: Waltman L, Yan E, van Eck NJ
Affiliations: Indiana Univ, Leiden Univ

Abstract:
Two commonly used ideas in the development of citation-based research performance indicators are the idea of normalizing citation counts based on a field classification scheme and the idea of recursive citation weighing (like in PageRank-inspired indicators). We combine these two ideas in a single indicator, referred to as the recursive mean normalized citation score indicator, and we study the validity of this indicator. Our empirical analysis shows that the proposed indicator is highly sensitive to the field classification scheme that is used. The indicator also has a strong tendency to reinforce biases caused by the classification scheme. Based on these observations, we advise against the use of indicators in which the idea of normalization based on a field classification scheme and the idea of recursive citation weighing are combined.

Publication type:
Article in Journal

Journals:
Scientometrics
  
Authors (2)
  
MSc L. (Ludo) Waltman
Centre for Science and Technology Studies
Researcher. MSc in Economics & Informatics from Erasmus University Rotterdam (2005). Currently working on a PhD thesis in economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Working at CWTS from June 2009. Involved in various science mapping projects. Main research interests are science mapping and ...
Dr. N.J. (Nees Jan) van Eck
Researcher. MSc in Economics & Informatics from Erasmus University Rotterdam (2005). Currently working on a PhD thesis on science mapping at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Working at CWTS from November 2008. Involved in various science mapping projects, and working on the development of science ...