Terra sebv s acta mvsei sabesiensi s

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 

                                                 

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 Marshakova-Shaikevich 2002, p. 315. 

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 Balayan 2004. 

www.cclbsebes.ro/muzeul-municipal-ioan-raica.html   /   www.cimec.ro

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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 

                                                 

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 Balayan 2004. 

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Mazur 2010, p. 157. 

www.cclbsebes.ro/muzeul-municipal-ioan-raica.html   /   www.cimec.ro

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