AGAINST ABSOLUTE METHODS: RELATIVE SCIENTOMETRIC INDICATORS AND RELATIONAL CHARTS AS EVALUATION TOOLS

The need of proper reference standards in applying citation based indicators for comparative/evaluative purposes is stressed. Relative scientometric indicators are build and their use is demonstrated by the comparison of the publication output and citation impact of 20 countries in 4 science fields. Emphasis is laid also on the statistical reliability of the indicators and their graphic representation in the form of relational charts.