Análisis de la productividad científica y visibilidad de las publicaciones sobre usabilidad (1971-2005)

Abstract

Aims: To analyse usability-related articles published in the period 1971-2005 from a bibliometric point of view. Methods: A search for articles was made in the CSIC databases, the Social Science Citation Index, Science Citation Index, PsycInfo, MEDLINE and Inspec databases, using ad hoc search strategies designed for each. Contribution, specific contribution and overlap indices were calculated, as were the indicators of change in scientific production, the productivity of institutions and journals, and the distribution of journals by area of knowledge. Results: An exponential increase in the number of published articles was recorded, with the highest increase seen over the last five years. The most productive institutions were mostly US universities; the most productive journals were related to Computer Science, Engineering and Psychology. Conclusions: Currently there is controversy surrounding the idea of usability as a science or scientific discipline since it lacks an appropriate training curriculum, has no set professional profile, and it is unsure into what specific area of knowledge it falls.