Scientometrics for the study of sociology

• Published in: International Sociology Vol. 35; no. 5; pp. 461 - 479
• Main Author: Sooryamoorthy, Radhamany
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-09-2020; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Academic disciplines; Applied sociology; Policy analysis; Qualitative research; Ratings & rankings; Scientometrics; Social sciences; Sociology; Visibility; Web of Science; qualitative scientometrics; Disciplinary studies; scientometrics; Scopus; sociology
• ISSN: 0268-5809; 1461-7242
• DOI: 10.1177/0268580920957911

Scientometrics has become a popular discipline, both as a field of study and a set of methods. Scientometric studies are carried out at varying levels from micro to macro. Institutions of higher learning and governments adopt scientometric measures to inform their decisions and to develop policies pertaining to ranking, standing, funding, impact, visibility and future plans. Institutions, countries and scholars can be evaluated using reliable scientometric indicators which are meaningful instruments in the study of disciplines. Scientometrics serves the purpose of determining the future of academic disciplines as well. However, it has not been applied to the study of the social sciences, including sociology, as much as it has been used in science disciplines. In this essay the need for scientometric studies in the study of sociology is put forward. Reviewing some prominent studies, the essay shows applicable models for scientometric studies for the study of sociology. As the use of scientometrics has not been effectively applied to qualitative studies, the essay presents the potential of scientometric data for qualitative studies of sociology.