Indexing And Impact Factor: Academia and its Black Boxes

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse the Impact Factor (IF) of scientific publications as a process which combines technical and social dimensions. Technical dimensions are related to decisions and debates in bibliometric field. Social dimensions are referred to the sociohistorical context where technical dimensions are included in. In this context, concepts about science, scientific policies or knowledge and universities management are crucial factors. According to this, IF is studied as a sociotechnical invention. Theoretically, I use the concept of Black Box to illustrate the construction and objectification of IF as a process in which social, cultural and intellectual components are obscured.