Bibliometric analysis of Spanish journals on Prehistory and Archaeology during the last decade

Abstract

The paper explains some issues concerning scientific activity in Prehistory and Archaeology through the citation analysis from Spanish periodicals and other factors. It states the difficulties caused by the journals' systematic non-observance of their periodicity and their noticeable lack of bibliographical citation stardardization. That situation harms the contribution of Spanish journals to the international networks of citation and leads to ostracism of Spanish scientific production. Some data concerning co-authorship, theme and language are offered. The analysis of the importance of territory in the cited journals shows that the number of citations diminishes when the distance to the place of publication increases. The relevance of citation analysis as a methodological criteria for periodicals evaluation is also considered. It is concluded that the localism provoked by the descriptive trend of archaeological research has two serious risks: 1) the division of the scientific community into disconnected groups, and 2) the use of very contemporary demarcation lines as a relevant tool for the study of the past.