The Evaluation of Research By Scientometric Indicators

6

The ageing of scientific information

Introduction

Following the disclosure of new scientific information in various channels, a complex revealing and evaluating period may begin with the participation of fellow scientists (see Chapter 13). The duration and results of these processes depend primarily on the inherent scientific value and practical usefulness of the information presented, as well as on relationships between the content and form of the publication and the potential absorbing medium. Accepting Fussler’s (1949) view (‘a citation means use of the material cited’), we may follow the use of information in publications by citations as a function of time.

As is well known, most scientific information becomes obsolete with the elapse ...