Informetría : explorando bases de datos como instrumentos de análisis

This paper gives a sample of the research programmes of the Centre for Informetric Studies, Copenhaguen. It also describes informetrics as a sub-field of bibliometrics discussing its new approach, i.e. the combination of advan-ced information retrieval theories and methodologies with the scientific study of information flows. The Centre aims to apply bibliometric methods not only to scientometric studies and research evaluations of science and technology, but also the analysis of their societal, industrial and other special relations. This means an extension of the traditional bibliometric analyses to cover non-scholarly communities in which information produced, communicated and used. The author also appeals to LIS professionals to face the challenge of this new area of quantitative studies, learning to explore data bases also as a tool to carry out analytical work, emphasizing the possibilities for those professionals to raise their positions in the information work hierarchies, as well as to explore informetric techniques to support the management of decisions and policy making