The Power of Scientometrics and the Development of Economics

摘要

Citation metrics as well as related indices and rankings become increasingly important in the quantitative evaluation of research. Such indices are part of a more general tendency where one hopes to simplify complex and interconnected phenomena through quantification. The purpose of our contribution is to analyze the impact of such quantitative indices on the further development of science with a special emphasis on economics. In this case we observe a multitude of interesting effects on both the level of individual scientists as well as the global development of the discipline.