Bibliometric assessment of research performance in Flanders: policy background and implications

We illustrate the use of bibliometric tools in the evaluation of scientific research conducted at Flemish universities and publicly funded research or ganisations, and in the assessment of scientific-technological performance in Flanders in the field of information technology. We sketch the policy ba ckground of a number of studies conducted during the past 6 years in Flande rs. These studies have provided useful information to evaluators and policy makers in Flanders, and have generated indirect effects on policy decision s, as their outcomes were used in the policy debate to raise relevant quest ions, clarify concepts or distinctions, question assumptions or to substant iate impressions.