Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Scientific publications as boundary objects: theorising the intersection of classification and research evaluation

Åström, Fredrik LU orcid ; Hammarfelt, Björn and Hansson, Joacim (2017) In Information Research 22(1).
Abstract
Introduction. When using bibliometrics for research evaluation, the classification of research fields is an issue of great importance. The purpose of this paper is to outline a brief theoretical framework for analysing the role of classification in research evaluation practices.
Theory. Taking departure in the concept of ‘boundary objects’ we develop a theoretical framework for analyses of how scientific publications negotiate between different social worlds. Moreover, by adding the perspective of large evaluative infrastructures our study seeks to highlight tensions between local practices and global standards.
Empirical example. One scientific article was analysed in terms of the different ways it can be classified on author and... (More)
Introduction. When using bibliometrics for research evaluation, the classification of research fields is an issue of great importance. The purpose of this paper is to outline a brief theoretical framework for analysing the role of classification in research evaluation practices.
Theory. Taking departure in the concept of ‘boundary objects’ we develop a theoretical framework for analyses of how scientific publications negotiate between different social worlds. Moreover, by adding the perspective of large evaluative infrastructures our study seeks to highlight tensions between local practices and global standards.
Empirical example. One scientific article was analysed in terms of the different ways it can be classified on author and affiliation levels, on a documental level, and on a bureaucratic level. Discussion. Publications are boundary objects residing between social worlds: the context of communication and the context of evaluation. Tensions between social worlds become apparent in infrastructures, which aims to serve the demands both of communication and of evaluation. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Information Research
volume
22
issue
1
article number
CoLIS paper 1623
publisher
Thomas Daniel Wilson
ISSN
1368-1613
project
"Forskningen granskad": Användningen av prestationsindikatorer för att mäta akademisk forskning, praktiker och effekter
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5d0243b2-b2b9-4fb1-b5de-6b261d831f09
alternative location
http://informationr.net/ir/22-1/colis/colis1623.html
date added to LUP
2020-01-27 11:17:16
date last changed
2020-01-28 02:23:57
@article{5d0243b2-b2b9-4fb1-b5de-6b261d831f09,
  abstract     = {{Introduction. When using bibliometrics for research evaluation, the classification of research fields is an issue of great importance. The purpose of this paper is to outline a brief theoretical framework for analysing the role of classification in research evaluation practices.<br/>Theory. Taking departure in the concept of ‘boundary objects’ we develop a theoretical framework for analyses of how scientific publications negotiate between different social worlds. Moreover, by adding the perspective of large evaluative infrastructures our study seeks to highlight tensions between local practices and global standards.<br/>Empirical example. One scientific article was analysed in terms of the different ways it can be classified on author and affiliation levels, on a documental level, and on a bureaucratic level. Discussion. Publications are boundary objects residing between social worlds: the context of communication and the context of evaluation. Tensions between social worlds become apparent in infrastructures, which aims to serve the demands both of communication and of evaluation.}},
  author       = {{Åström, Fredrik and Hammarfelt, Björn and Hansson, Joacim}},
  issn         = {{1368-1613}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Thomas Daniel Wilson}},
  series       = {{Information Research}},
  title        = {{Scientific publications as boundary objects: theorising the intersection of classification and research evaluation}},
  url          = {{http://informationr.net/ir/22-1/colis/colis1623.html}},
  volume       = {{22}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}