Bibliometrics for studying polar research

Abstract

Bibliometrics and scientometrics, the quantitative study of scientific and publishing activity, is a rapidly growing field. It can offer valuable insights into how scientific activity is structured, and the way knowledge develops over time. However, the application of bibliometric approaches to polar science can be challenging, as it is difficult to clearly identify as a fixed discipline. This paper reviews the particular challenges of polar bibliometrics and the ways in which we can best get accurate information on the field. It then sets out a short bibliometric study of recent developments in polar studies, comparing activity in the Arctic and Antarctic, which builds on a brief survey presented to the Colloquy in 2016.