Abstract

The method of citation analysis has been elaborated by E. Garfield for the purpose of documentation of scientific literature. The data accumulated in "Citation Indices" can also be used as an empirical basis for certain investigations in the field of science of science. Techniques of citation analysis permit measurements of information activities of scientists. We refuse overdrawn interpretations of the results of citation analyses, for instance the indication of "scientific quality" or of "thematico-technical relations between ideas, problems etc."