Librarians, bibliometrics and research assessment: rediscovering a skill to make the most of our profession

Abstract

Research assessment is a hot topic in academic debate, as in the immediate future research will become more and more dependent on assessment procedures – i.e. peer review process (qualitative method) and bibliometrics (quantitative method) – for the allocation of public funds. Since bibliometric indicators have been originally developed for hard sciences, they don't fit for humanities. Therefore librarians should rediscover their bibliometric skills – originally developed within libraries – to support the profession. The article insists on the connection between library science and bibliometrics, and on the role that librarians could play in research assessment: seen in this light, bibliometrics is an opportunity to lead the profession beyond the boundary of the traditional library services.