A classification of the use of research indicators

Abstract

Research performance indicators are broadly used, for a range of purposes. The scientific literature on research indicators has a strong methodological focus. There is no comprehensive overview or classification of the use of such indicators. In this paper we give such a classification of research indicator use. Using the journal Scientometrics as a starting point we scrutinized recent journal literature on scientometrics, bibliometrics, research policy, research evaluation, and higher education in order to spot paragraphs or sections that mention indicator use. This led to a classification of research indicator use with 21 categories which can be grouped into five main categories.