Metrics for an increasingly complicated information ecosystem

The purpose of this paper is to encourage recognition of the potential impact of an increasingly complicated information ecosystem on scientometric indicators.

The paper considers how new web technologies have impacted the role of time in scientometric indicators.

The paper suggests that it is important to be aware of the limitations of scientometrics indicators in an increasingly complicated information environment, although without a more developed semantic web there is little that can be done.

Users of scientometric indicators should refrain from claiming too much confidence in them.

The paper considers scientometric indicators at a finer granularity that usual, and will be of interest to anyone concerned the application of bibliometric indicators and the changing nature of scientific discourse.