Bibliometric Analysis in Historiographical Studies
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As Marshakova-Shaikevich pointed out, this information is of
paramount importance in the study of many areas of human academic
activity, especially scientific fields. Bibliometrics, like any statistics, is not
only important for studies into the development of science, but also
provides substantial assistance in science management - namely, planning
and forecasting research - and even influences the way the state shapes its
science policy.
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The unequivocal merit of bibliometrics is that it allows us to represent
the quantity of research and its topics, which reflects the object and subject
of study. The disadvantage of bibliometric analysis is that it provides no
qualitative assessment of documents’ contents, depriving the researcher of
the opportunity to assess problems such as disagreements between
researchers working on the chosen topic. Ultimately, this makes it
impossible to characterise research of a historical character, such as classical
historiographies, using bibliometric methods alone.
Applied bibliometric studies, along with information (computer)
technologies, serve as tools for extensive quantitative data processing and
the creation of visualisation aids (tables, charts, and graphs) representing the
results. Illustrative material emphasises trends identified on the basis of
quantitative analysis, revealing tendencies and promoting precision and
clarity of perception.
In view of the increasing requirement for accuracy in the humanities
in terms of objective descriptions of social phenomena, mathematical
methods have, in recent years, acquired a growing number of supporters.
The phrase, “If something cannot be measured, it cannot be scientifically
described,” has become widespread. At the same time, the number of
historians who systematically use quantitative analytical methods is relatively
small. According to G. V. Balayan - who in 2004 defended his thesis on
Information Methods of Historical Research in the Russian Historiography of the Last
Third of the Twentieth Century
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- information practices in Russian
historiography have not developed a systematic methodological basis, while
the empirical stage of development in individual academics’ studies on
specific topics has already passed.
How valid is the use of technology in historical research, what are the
data realities of the global information space, and what are the typical
advantages and disadvantages of this kind of research? These questions are
asked by a growing number of historians. Balayan’s thesis is
historiographical in content, dealing with the problem of the relationship
between qualitative and quantitative indicators in studies of history. Its basic
41
Marshakova-Shaikevich 2002, p. 315.
42
Balayan 2004.
www.cclbsebes.ro/muzeul-municipal-ioan-raica.html / www.cimec.ro
A. A. Pronin
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methodological principle is the close dependency of quantitative and
qualitative changes, the transformation of quantity into quality and vice-
versa. He warns against an unreasonably broad assessment of quantitative
methods, according to which measurements can replace qualitative analysis
of events (a position shared by the author).
As Balayan rightly notes, the doctrine of information formed the
theoretical basis for the development of the methodologies of historical
science, for appraising the nature of historical sources as carriers of social
information. Information technologies have expanded the scope of research
practices in terms of historians’ introduction of notions such as information
requests, finding aids, primary and secondary documents, coding,
classification and the systematisation of historical information.
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The limited
ability of historical science to tackle large volumes of historical information
made it necessary to expand the arsenal of traditional methods. Historians
are not limited to borrowing calculation techniques from mathematics,
statistics, sociology and information theory. Among the new directions in
historical scholarship, new methods of acquiring knowledge of historical
reality were developed - information-based methods. The emergence of this
new direction was accompanied by the detection of inconsistencies in the
way these new methods for discovering historical reality were applied.
Thus, the relevance of exploring innovative research methods lies in
the social significance of historical science in the context of globalisation, as
well as in the need for objective processes to enrich and expand the arsenal
of methodologies - including those based on information technologies -
available to historical research.
Having made an introductory excursion into the history of
bibliometrics, the following section explores the system of bibliometric
indicators used in historiographical studies. Scientific and bibliometric
methods provide an answer to the main research question: is it possible to
speak of emigration studies as a new, emerging discipline within Russian
humanities? At what pace is it developing? Which academic branches are
found at the “core” of emigration research and which are adjacent? What
topics form the centre of academics’ focus and where are the “white spots”?
Mindful of the fact that formalised sources (documents) are the
easiest objects to measure, since their relevant features have already been
identified and formulated,
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theses written for the purpose of attaining
academic qualifications were analysed to answer the above questions.
Specifically, information about the author, research topic, academic degree
sought, code and title of the subject area (in accordance with the
43
Balayan 2004.
44
Mazur 2010, p. 157.
www.cclbsebes.ro/muzeul-municipal-ioan-raica.html / www.cimec.ro