Course selection
Introduction to Bibliometrics
Audience: Academic staff, Research staff, Research supervisors
Date: Tuesday 10 March 2026
Times: 10.00 to 11.00
Key details: Online. The session will give an understanding of bibliometrics and how it is used to explore publication and citations trends. Delivered by the Bibliometrics team (Library). Contact email: bibliometrics@st-andrews.ac.uk
Course pre-work
Optional: Read the University’s policy on the use of indicators in research assessment
Course information
A broad introduction to bibliometrics that will give researchers an understanding of the background to the subject and how it is used in academia to explore publication and citations trends.
The introduction will explain the principal component metrics used in the subject and how they have developed and are currently used. League tables are noted and how their scope, range and influence has increased.
Emphasis will be given to the responsible use of bibliometric indicators (including citations), and give an idea of the questions that might come to mind when assessing the metrics used. Consequentially, users and practitioners will become more aware of how to understand and improve the results obtained by following good data selection and sampling practice.
This workshop is part of a series which includes the following workshops:
- Introduction to Scopus
- Introduction to SciVal
- Introduction to Altmetrics
Aims and objectives
Aims and objectives
- To introduce and explain the subject of bibliometrics
- To illustrate and explain the component metrics (e.g. citations)
- To understand the impact that bibliometrics has.
- To emphasise the responsible use of bibliometrics
Tutors
Michael Norris