The scope of scientometric studies has been increased in recent years. Most of previous studies in this field are just like executive reports, and the international scholars have expressed their concerns about this problem. The nature of scientometric studies has not been studied in previous researches and we do not know that scientometric studies are categorized in multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary domain. This paper explored the use of scientometric approach to study the scientometrics domain. We responsed to these questions: 1) Is the scientometric studies classified in interdisciplinary domain? 2) What is the contribution of different scientific fields to scientometric studies? 3) What is the current direction of scientometric studies? The data was extracted from Web of Science (WoS). The results showed that scientometric studies were a part of interdisciplinary studies. Furthermore, the library and information science and computer science had major contribution to this field.

Scientometrics has played an important role in assessing and evaluating research performance in recent years. This science analyzes the growth and evolution of research over time by referring to standardized data of university research, especially bibliographic information. In fact, scientometrics, or the science of measuring science helps promote researchers, universities, and research centers through principled evaluation and ranking and leads to a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, playing an important role in public policymaking and scientific governance. Apart from the debate over the validity of scientometrics and the possibility of indigenous scientometrics, which is itself controversial in the academic community, whether scientometrics follows the same principles and logic in all sciences or needs a different logic for humanities scientometrics is one of the concerns of humanities scholars. This article, considering a general concept of philosophy and foundations of sciences and inspired by Lakatos and Mouffe's theory, uses descriptive and analytical methods to justify, on the one hand, the relative independence of humanities scientometrics from absolute scientometrics, and on the other hand, the possibility of forming a school of humanities scientometrics. Since the formation of the school of humanities scientometrics requires a practical depiction of it, six practical questions have been raised in this article based on qualitative research methods and initial answers have been provided to these questions.

In the current age, due to the increasing growth of knowledge and competition therein, evaluation of scientific products by means of scientometric methods has become a very important and necessary subject. Scientometrics, in simple words, is the science of measuring the knowledge. Scientometric indices are divided into three categories: productivity metrics that measure the productivity of the researchers or research groups, impact metrics that assess the quality (or performance) of journals, researchers, or research groups, and hybrid metrics that are used to summarize both productivity and effect metrics in one index. Scientometric studies help policy makers and managers of universities and heads of research centers in allocating budget, creating a balance between the budget and costs, making appointments, and promoting the researchers and institutes, and results in better recognition of weaknesses and strengths of their affiliated groups by evaluation of priorities, perspectives, and capacities. Meanwhile, this new knowledge can help with systematic evaluation and ranking of universities and research centers. This paper provides a review on scientometric concepts and its applications and discussed scientometric indices.

This aimed to investigate the infrastructure and appropriate structure for the scientometrics departments in Iranian medical universities. A qualitative approach was used in order to collect the data. In particular, Grounded Theory Model and interviews were utilized. The research sample included the research deputy, the research staff, the staff of the scientometrics departments at medical universities, as well as several experts in scientometrics. The study revealed two types of infrastructure and an appropriate structure for scientometrics departments at the medical universities. were grouped as technological and organizational infrastructure. According to the interviewees, the infrastructure was necessary for scientometrics departments in order to optimize and improve the performance and contribution of scientometrics departments at medical universities.

Promulgating the new instructions on how to grant incentive base to faculty members (Appendix of Article 53 of the Employment Regulations of Faculty Members, approved by the Board of Trustees of the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology (MSRT)) by the honorable Minister of MSRT and directly emphasizing the need to employ scientometric experts for its implementation was an excuse to dedicate this issue to a review of the position of scientometrics graduates in the field of higher education. In paragraph 10-38-7 of the new notification instruction that has been implemented since spring 2023, universities and higher education institutions are requested to "appoint at least one special expert (with mastery of scientometrics and Technometrics) working in the institution to implement this instruction. This is a valuable indication of the positive view of the country's scientific and executive circles of higher education towards the position of scientometrics and promises a more promising career future for the graduates of this field. Years ago, in the preface of the book "Introduction to Scientometrics: Foundations, Concepts, Relations and Origins" I declared the need for scientometric specialists to obtain the demands and evidence in the country's upstream documents such as the comprehensive scientific map of the country, I was aware of the fact that the use of scientometric experts as one of the most significant areas supporting science policy requires more serious support, and I had demanded a firmer determination for the training of scientometric experts; Because the increasing changes facing the higher education system, I did not doubt that the increasing demand in scientometric experts will be inevitable. In the same years and based on this fundamental need, the Ministry of Health, and Medical Education, as one of the pioneers in the use of scientometric experts in Iran, had correctly declared the establishment of scientometric units in all its universities and research centers, as well as the employment of scientometric experts in these units. After years of continuous efforts, this ministry profits from the countless advantages of science and technologyunits in line with its research and technology policies and planners, both at the Ministry's Research and Technology deputy level and in its affiliated universities and research centers level. In fact, applying the knowledge of scientometric professionals in various fields of higher education has become a necessity; and scientometric experts are an integral part of the higher education system, which previously I have mentioned some of these necessities in the editor-in-chief's Note, No. 6, entitled "Taking advantage of Scientometrics’ graduates in universities, a necessity to release from quasi=research"; and I have also noted some of these necessities in the editor -in -chief's Note, No. 9, entitled "A thought-provoking semi-perspective on the research, educational, and professional backgrounds of the scientometrics discipline at the universities of the world". Currently, despite the existing large volumes of upstream documents, laws, guidelines, and formal notifications that indirectly or even directly apply the scientometrics professionals to meet the needs of the higher education system, it is expected to be more decisive to employ and apply experts and specialists. In this regard, it is not unexpected that the State Administrative and Employment Organization will quickly coordinate, approve and communicate the requirements of MSRT, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and other relevant institutions to facilitate the recruitment of these experts. Along with it, universities and research centers also launch their scientometric units based on the new proclamation of the Minister of MSRT, relying on existing upstream approvals and documents. Upstream units such as the Department of Research and Technology, the Department of Education, and the Secretariat of the Board of Directors and Secretariat observe the implementation of the processes of the use of experts and professionals in universities. Certainly, it is only if the universities and higher education systems of the country will benefit more than ever before from the services and support of the experts and specialists to advance science and technology policy goals. On the other hand, as I mentioned in the editor-in-chief's Note, No 4, entitled "The Responsibility of the Scientometrics Graduates", it should not be overlooked that this kind of view of higher education system toward scientometrics from another approach must also be taken to the good; Because it doubles the responsibility of scientometrics graduates in strengthening its scientific and technological powers in order to respond more effectively to the needs of higher education. Currently, with the announcement of the new Employment Regulations of the faculty and its attachment to Article 53 by the Ministry, the opportunity to take advantage of the knowledge of experts and graduates of scientometrics has been provided for universities and research centers in the country, which should be utilized as best as possible. By smoothing the path of recruitment, hiring, and employing scholars and graduates, and also the launch of scientometrics units in universities and research institutes that have not yet done so, the higher education system benefits more than ever before the knowledge of these scholars. However, there will also be questions that should be addressed in this direction; such as: What are the mechanisms needed to guide the universities based in universities and research centers, as well as to observe their activities? What other mechanisms will be needed to enable the higher education system from the studies and activities of universities and research centers in the country? And what other steps should be taken to facilitate the use, recruitment, and employment of scholarship graduates in the country's higher education system and remove barriers in this regard?

This study has attempted to use the content analysis and factor analysis of the texts in Bibliometrics، Scientometrics and Informetrics areas to identify their differences and similarities. This study therefore aimed to determine similarities and distinctions in areas related to Bibliometrics، Scientometrics and Informetrics indexed in Social Science Citation Index during 1973-2009. The results of factor analysis respectively 8، 5 and 6 factor were extracted to Bibliometrics، Scientometrics and Informetrics areas. Differences obtained for specific content areas related to these areas are the only areas to be discussed. Accordingly، Bibliometrics focus on the standards، models، approaches and science policy، Scientometrics focus on indicators and draws on the topic structure of knowledge and informatrics on issues of Statistical Measures، modeling. Similarities in the areas mentioned review vevealed that the district was more common factors Bibliometrics with two other area is، in other words، this area has more thematic variety and relatively high overlap area with two Scientometrics and Informetrics survey.

The book entitled “Scientometrics Epistemology” has been published in Medium octavo format with 6 chapters and 240 pages. It includes the list of contents, figures, and references, with no index. In this article, the above-mentioned book is criticized, and the critic, while explaining the position of scientometrics, states that scientometrics is originally related to counting, measuring, and representation, and the discussion of creating or relating epistemology to it is not sufficiently justified. The book has been written based on the library method. Scientometrics is actually a technique and method that serve evaluation, which is, in turn, related to management. Naturally, every human being and then research and educational organizations have tried to expand scientometrics and created indicators to compare scientific products based on quantity in order to determine their degree of importance, which is not unrelated to economic and managerial issues.

Scientometrics is the technique of statistical and quantitative analysis of scientific texts, which is known as one of the most common methods of evaluating the general state of science, research, and technology at the national and international levels. This science emerged in the 1970s in Soviet Russia. Quantitative examination of scientific productions, scientific policy making, scientific communication of scholars, and drawing of science map are important part of the subjects of this field. The present qualitative study has been carried out using the library method. First, a comprehensive search was conducted in reliable domestic and foreign databases using the specific keywords of scientometrics, scientometric indicators, scientometric software, and their English equivalents. Electronic documents and articles related to this topic were searched and collected. After multi-stage screening, finally 15 articles were selected and then the final analysis was done. The search limit included articles published after 2018, except for some specific articles that needed to be referred to in order to complete the review. Considering the importance of scientometrics for the scientific community, this review article examines the new indicators of scientometrics. Therefore, first, scientometrics and its important and new indicators were introduced, then scientometric software and their applications were described, and finally, the general conclusion of the research was presented in the last part.

Like other sub-disciplines of humanities, scientometrics is influenced by significant factors leading to Belief in Favorable Future (BFF). Education in the field of scientometrics should always strive to prolong its survival and guarantee its evolution in the coming years. Hence, the excellence of scientometrics requires constant and undivided attention to both external and internal contributing factors. The principal objective of this study is to recognize the underlying trends and driving forces influencing the future of scientometrics education in Iran. A meta-analysis of contingent surveys is conducted to serve the purpose of practicality. The expert panel is comprised of 15 professionals in knowledge and information science. Subsequently, a researcher-constructed questionnaire was distributed among professionals. The research findings demonstrated that the driving forces influencing the future of scientometrics education in Iran could be categorized into eleven general indicators. Seven internal indicators include philosophy and the model of higher education for scientometrics, educational forces, curriculum, services and facilities, information and communication technology, academic level of universities, and specific field challenges. Four external indicators include sociological, economic, information technology, policy-making, and higher education system management. Altogether, both internal and external factors are sub-categorized into 57 items.Originality/Value: Due to inconvenient circumstances of scientometrics education in Iran, policymakers and managers of the Iranian higher education system are duly required to address the need to transform the ongoing trends and functional driving forces in the field of scientometrics.

This study aimed to clarify the status of scientometric indicators and science measurement organizations.
This article is a descriptive and library research. Searching in scientific databases and literature review, we identified r science measurement organizations and scientometric indicators, then extracted checklist. After classifying the bases, a log completed for each of them and they finally were analyzed using Microsoft Excel.
Findings: scientometric indicators in each group are different from scientometric databases. The scales of indicators “impact factor” used in base 22 (38.52) were identified as the most applied scientometric indicator. The “Hirsch index” with at least 15 bases of assessment (71.35) were in second place. As well as the bases of the study, “universities ranking databases” were the highest index using scientometric indicators (85 indicators) and “human and financial databases” obtained the second rank using 56 indicators. In other bases, “JCR” and “professional or subject index” using seven indicators, jointly located at the sixth lowest rate in the indicators, respectively.
The results of the study showed that the measurement bases are different in using scientometric indicators, and similar indicators can be introduced for each group of measurement bases.