Bibliometric techniques in the evaluation of federally funded research in the United States

Research evaluation in the USA historically tended to rely more heavily on peer review than on bibliometric method, but interest in quantitative methods including bibliometrics appears to be growing. In this paper, we discuss the use of bibliometric techniques of research evaluation by the US federal government over the past decade. Within the past decade, commentators have pointed to something of a rebirth of interest in evaluation along with pressure on agencies to develop quantitative indicators. Evaluation of economic and societal outcomes of research has become a priority. Bibliometric method continues to evolve in response to these needs and therefore often finds application in evaluations of federal agency research. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.