The evaluation of research performance in psychiatry. Potential and pitfalls of bibliometric analysis

ecent scientific and economic developments have emphasized the need far obj ective and operationalized criteria for the evaluation of collective and in dividual research performance. In this context the present article discusse s the possibilities and limitations of bibliometric analysis in the evaluat ion of psychiatric research. Taking into account recent scientometric knowl edge,the potentials and pitfalls of the so called impact factor are critica lly discussed with respect to its usefulness in the evaluation of psychiatr ic research performance in Germany. A major criticism arises from the obser vation that the unreflecting use of the impact factor may overemphasize qua ntitative aspects to the disadvantage of qualitative aspects of research. T his may however lead to unwanted distortions and misjudgements. The critica l analysis of the current use of scientometric indices in the evaluation pr ocess emphasizes the need for alternative criteria,which should take into a ccount disciplinary as well as national idiosyncrasis. Accordingly, the aut hors aim to induce and contribute to a discussion process within the scient ific community, which may lead To a more appropriate evaluation of psychiat ric research performance.