Are Scientometrics, Informetrics, and Bibliometrics different?

Bibliometrics, scientometrics, and informetrics (also called the three-metrics) are three related terms in metrology. With development of science and social science and continuation of metrology, convergence among these three terms has been developed a lot. Analyzing their current situation and relationships can promote comprehensively understanding of these three specific fields under metrology. For this study, we collect the data sets of the three terms through keywords search in Web of Science in the recent 10 years (2007-2016). We also compare them in terms of the distribution of publications and cooperation (recognition level), the main research topics (intellectual structure), and the reference situation (knowledge communication) and visualize results. These results show that three metrics differ in subject background and vary in the degrees of utilization and recognition, but are share in theories as well as many methods and technologies. They are similar in general structure and citation situation although some details content is different. We recommend the addition of bibliometrics in the title of the International Society for Scientometrics and Informetrics.