Bibliometrics is a tool that can be used to understand elements of research productivity and impact.
Bibliometrics typically include metrics that integrate academic publications and citations to gain insights into institutional research, research groups, research areas, or individual researchers. Bibliometrics should be considered among other tools and processes for a complete picture of research productivity and impact.
The Working Group on Bibliometrics support the responsible use of bibliometrics and has published Position Paper on Measuring Research Outputs Through Bibliometrics to help Waterloo and other institutions to understand the limitations and appropriate uses of these measures.
Key University stakeholders including the Library, Office of Research, Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP), interested researchers and Faculty representatives participate in a Bibliometrics Working Group (BWG), initiated in 2012 by the Provost.
IAP facilitates and participates in discussions across campus to promote a better institutional understanding of the use and best practices for bibliometrics, as well as other measures of research.
Recent Initiatives:
- 2026 update to the Position Paper on Measuring Research Outputs Through Bibliometrics
- 2026-2028 ORCID Implementation to strengthen researcher identification, attribution, and research information workflows across campus
- 2024-2026 ORCID Pilot focused on doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers
- Ongoing advising on bibliometric approaches related to interdisciplinarity
- Ongoing support and oversight of research-related KPIs connected to the University’s strategic plan
- 2022 Review of the MyResearch (Pure) software/subscription for ongoing value and institutional fit
Advisory Group Members:
- Associate Provost, Institutional Data, Analysis and Planning: Allan Starr
- University Librarian: Beth Sandore Namachchivaya
- Vice President, University Research: Charmaine Dean
Working Group Members:
- Chair: Mathieu Doucet (Associate Vice-President, Research Oversight and Integrity, Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation)
- Research Operations Committee, Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation: Swati Bodalia, Diane Johnston, Neil McKay, Antonio Marques
- Institutional Analysis & Planning: Daniela Seskar-Hencic, Jana Carson, Kerry Tolson
- Library: Alison Hitchens, Laura Bredahl, Jenny Hirst
- Information Services and Technology: Gregory Smith (or Delegate)
- AHS: Marina Mourtzakis
- Arts: Ana Ferrer, Selena Santi
- Science: Shirley Tang, Kim Arnold
- Math: Martha Foulds, Agata Antkiewicz, Brittany Reiche (on leave)
- Engineering: David Clausi, Veronica Michael, Jon Walgate
- Environment: Ian Rowlands; Jeremy Pittman
- Research Centres and institutes: Sushanta Mitra (WIN)
- Other Units: tbd
Past Chairs: Bruce Muirhead (inaugural; 2012-2020); Ian Milligan (2020-2026)
Key Contacts:
WGB: BibliometricsWG@uwaterloo.ca
Bibliometrics & Research Impact Librarian: laura.bredahl@uwaterloo.ca
Institutional Analysis and Planning: jana.carson@uwaterloo.ca
Office of Research: Diane Johnson: diane.johnson@uwaterloo.ca