Scientifc indicators arise from the measurement of inputs and results of the scientific institution. Scientometrics develops methodologies for set up those indicators based on interdisciplinary technics from the economics, statistics, management and documentation. The methodologies that are internationally accepted (Frascati Manual, Oslo Manual and Canberra Manual) constitute the classical references to measure the economic inputs and results, as well as the technological results of the research and development. However, there is no international consensus about how to measure and evaluate intellectual and academic production in the ways in which it is expressed in the editorial system, either in the interpretation of its impacts e influences. Defining bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics, as well as their scope and application, this paper presents alternative views to interpret current scientometric indicators, which greatly outcome from compilation of the Citation Index, published by the Institute for Scientific Information, and other similar databases. Particularly, an hypothesis is presented aiming at explaining the bias of the Citation Index in favour of the publications that belong to the mainstream of the developed countries, against those publications of similar quality published by Third World countries.
Scientific indicators; Bibliometrics; Scientometrics; Citation indexes
