Scientometric studies and their role in research policy of two research councils in the Netherlands

In the past 30 years various scientometric analyses have provided input dat a for research policy objectives of research institutions in the Netherland s. In this article we discuss several pioneering studies performed on behal f of the research councils for physics (FOM) and technical sciences (STW), which have played an important role in the early development of scientometr ics in this country. The motives for these studies, the results and the inf luence on research policy are discussed. Relations to present themes in sci entometric investigations are drawn.