Schematic overview for 'Counting methods introduced into the bibliometric research literature 1970 – 2018: A review'

Schematic overview of the results from ‘Counting methods introduced into the bibliometric research literature 1970 – 2018: A review’. The overview presents results from the review’s four research questions (RQs 1 – 4):

RQ 1: How many unique counting methods are there and when were they introduced into the bibliometric research literature?

RQ 2: To what extent can the counting methods identified by RQ 1 be categorized according to selected frameworks that focus on characteristics of the counting methods?

RQ 3: Which methods and elements from the studies that introduce the counting methods identified by RQ 1 can be used to assess the internal validity of those counting methods?

RQ 4: To what extent are the counting methods identified by RQ 1 used in research evaluations and to what extent is this use compliant with the definitions in the studies that introduce the counting methods?

The excel file allows the reader to easily filter or sort the four pre-1970 counting methods as well as the 32 counting methods identified by RQ 1. Thus, the excel file invites the reader to explore the counting methods presented in this review, their characteristics, methods and elements to assess their internal validity, and their use in research evaluations. Such exploration may inspire new studies of counting methods, leading to even more new knowledge about counting methods.