Abstract

This paper argues the need to adapt the publication evaluation systems to the characteristics of the humanities, in order to overcome the current discrimination of these disciplines. Citation indicators applied to 2, 3, or 5 years of publication provide poor and distorted statistics for journal evaluation. The citation period should be extended and the classification system refined. On the other hand, it is essential to strengthen the incipient sources about monograph quality and publication modality with a central weight in the humanities.

Abstract

Library & Information science in Spain is currently facing serious problems because the divorce between the academic and the professional approach, being the first closer to the integration in the humanities and social sciences and the second with a more technological profile. The unfortunate proposal for a specific and differential treatment of the social sciences and humanities in the evaluation processes is going to penalize severely to our discipline and urgent and serious measures should be taken for avoiding a catastrophic situation. These measures include, among others, the pursuit of excellence, punishing the scientific fraud and plagiarism, and defending not only the publication but also the reading in English. An even stronger support of open access initiatives is a sound objective, including the adoption of new standards, such as for example the not well-known yet strategies of the new Book citation index. Today the professional profile should be more involved in the generation of content than in t its mere labeling, especially taking control of the usage statistics and indicators.

Abstract

This paper studies research data repositories in the social sciences and humanities (SSH), from the Registry of Research Data Repositories (re3data), paying particular attention to metadata models used to describe the datasets included in them. 397 repositories are reviewed at the general level, including those of a multidisciplinary nature. We discuss and reflect on the special features of research data in these disciplines, and on coverage and information collected by re3data. The metadata schemas and standards most commonly used in SSH repositories are analyzed, with special emphasis on the six main repositories.

Abstract

This paper studies research data repositories in the social sciences and humanities (SSH), from the Registry of Research Data Repositories (re3data), paying particular attention to metadata models used to describe the datasets included in them. 397 repositories are reviewed at the general level, including those of a multidisciplinary nature. We discuss and reflect on the special features of research data in these disciplines, and on coverage and information collected by re3data. The metadata schemas and standards most commonly used in SSH repositories are analyzed, with special emphasis on the six main repositories.

Abstract

Digital humanities (DH) have adopted different institutional forms in academia (centers, networks, projects, etc.). This study addresses the current state of DH through an analysis of its centers, as reported by the association CenterNet. We analysed websites, missions and social media presence of the centers in order to provide an overall picture. Results show a remarkable heterogeneity in the way DH are organised. Finally, some of the most debated issues (for instance, the borders of the field, problems of inclussion and exclusion, or a new cultural colonialism) are discussed.

Abstract

The H-Index Scholar is a bibliometric index that measures the productivity and scientific impact of the academic production in humanities and social sciences by professors and researchers at public Spanish universities. The methodology consisted of counting their publications and citations received in Google Scholar. The main features and characteristics of the index are explained. Despite technical and methodological problems that Google Scholar  might have as a source of information, the authors estimate that they do not affect substantially the calculated h and g indexes, probably being the error lower than 10%. The total population analyzed was 40,993 researchers, but data are displayed only for 13,518 researchers, the ones located in the first tertile of their respective areas.

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to assess the current state of citizen science projects and reveal the role of volunteers in the research process. This is achieved by performing a literature review and content analysis of three international and one state-owned citizen science platforms (Wikipedia, SciStarter, CitSci and Precipita) that contain more than 800 research projects. Projects have been analyzed according to four categories: the academic disciplines, the way the project is designed, the phases of the research in which volunteers participate, and the tasks they perform. The results show that projects in the arts, humanities, and social sciences disciplines are almost non-existent. In addition, in the field of natural and physical sciences, projects are fostered with a top-down approach and volunteers participate primarily in the data collection phase in order to obtain a large volume of data, thereby receiving more financing from the European Union.

Abstract

This work presents the updated version of the public information system SPI (Scholarly Publishers’ Indicators), developed by ÍLIA (research group on scholarly books), which belongs to the Spanish National Research Council. SPI contains three types of indicators about book publishers: prestige according to expert opinions; thematic specialization according to Dilve (information on Spanish books for sale) classification; and manuscript selection procedures according to each publisher’s answers to a survey. SPI Expanded is also described as an information system which provides information about each scholarly publisher’s indexation in four international information systems. The methodological specifications for the design of SPI Expanded in each of the dimensions are presented. Finally, the functionalities and current use as a reference in the assessment process of scholarly publishers’ output are detailed.

Abstract

This work presents the updated version of the public information system SPI (Scholarly Publishers’ Indicators), developed by ÍLIA (research group on scholarly books), which belongs to the Spanish National Research Council. SPI contains three types of indicators about book publishers: prestige according to expert opinions; thematic specialization according to Dilve (information on Spanish books for sale) classification; and manuscript selection procedures according to each publisher’s answers to a survey. SPI Expanded is also described as an information system which provides information about each scholarly publisher’s indexation in four international information systems. The methodological specifications for the design of SPI Expanded in each of the dimensions are presented. Finally, the functionalities and current use as a reference in the assessment process of scholarly publishers’ output are detailed.

Abstract

International audience; En este libro se presenta una reflexión sobre los riesgos a los cuales está expuesto el Distrito Metropolitano de Quito –DMQ– considerando la cuestión de la movilidad cotidiana de las personas y la cuestión de la accesibilidad. Este análisis se funda en un método elaborado en el marco del programa “Sistema de información y riesgos en el DMQ” llevado a cabo por la Dirección Metropolitana de Territorio y Vivienda del Municipio de Quito y el Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD, ex ORSTOM). Para prevenir eficazmente los riesgos a los cuales está expuesta la capital ecuatoriana por problemas de movilidad habituales o excepcionales, es imprescindible enfocar el análisis en las obras viales claves y los equipamientos de transporte esenciales. En efecto, la pérdida de su operatividad podría dificultar gravemente las comunicaciones y reducir fuertemente la accesibilidad de algunos sectores lo que causaría perjuicios muy severos al territorio metropolitano. La situación es tanto más crítica cuanto que las obras claves son vulnerables y tanto más problemática cuanto que los sectores en cuestión cuentan con funciones urbanas estratégicas (grandes equipamientos de la logística urbana, grandes centros hospitalarios,...). En primer lugar se estudia los flujos y movimientos de personas y el sistema de transporte vigente. Se identifica y localiza en la segunda parte las infraestructuras claves de la movilidad. En una tercera fase se analiza los factores de vulnerabilidad de estas infraestructuras claves, vulnerabilidad que las predisponen a fallos o daños. Por último se aborda los riesgos a los cuales está expuesto el Distrito dada la reducción de la accesibilidad de los diferentes espacios metropolitanos que puede resultar del cierre de las vías claves. En una perspectiva de planificación urbana preventiva, el libro proporciona una base de reflexión para los gestores, pistas para la reducción de la vulnerabilidad y medidas encaminadas a orientar la gestión de crisis. Si bien se dirige a los encargados del manejo del transporte o riesgos, este libro está destinado a los planificadores urbanos y de manera general a todo público interesado en comprender el funcionamiento de la movilidad de las personas y la vulnerabilidad de la capital ecuatoriana.; Ce livre présente une réflexion sur les risques encourus par le District Métropolitain de Quito –DMQ– en considérant la question de la mobilité quotidienne des personnes et la question de l'accessibilité. Cette analyse s'appuie sur une méthode mise au point dans le cadre du programme « Système d'information et risques dans le DMQ » mené par la Direction Métropolitaine du Territoire et du Logement de la Municipalité de Quito et l'Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD). Pour prévenir de façon efficace les risques auxquels est exposée la capitale équatorienne compte tenu des problèmes de mobilité habituels ou exceptionnels, il est indispensable de cibler l'analyse sur les infrastructures routières enjeux et sur les équipements de transport enjeux. En effet, la perte de leur opérationnalité pourrait compromettre sérieusement les communications et réduire fortement l'accessibilité de certains secteurs, situation qui handicaperait gravement le territoire métropolitain. La situation est d'autant plus critique que les enjeux sont vulnérables et d'autant plus problématique que les secteurs en question rassemblent des fonctions urbaines stratégiques (grands équipements de la logistique urbaine, grands centres hospitaliers...). En premier lieu, sont étudiés les flux et de personnes et le système de transport actuel. En second lieu, sont identifiées et localisées les infrastructures enjeux de la mobilité. En troisième lieu, les vulnérabilités déplacements enjeux, les prédisposant aux défaillances ou à l'endommagement, sont analysées. Enfin sont évalués les risques encourus par le District compte tenu de la réduction de l'accessibilité des différents espaces métropolitains pouvant découler de la fermeture des routes enjeux. Dans une perspective de planification urbaine préventive, le livre propose une base de réflexion utile aux gestionnaires, fournit des pistes pour la réduction des vulnérabilités et apporte des orientations pour la préparation aux crises. S'il s'adresse aux responsables de la gestion des transports ou des risques, ce livre est aussi destiné aux planificateurs urbains et de manière générale à quiconque désire comprendre le fonctionnement de la mobilité des personnes et la vulnérabilité de la capitale équatorienne. Document type: Book