Expanding the Meaning of the Term “Document” as a Possible Factor of Reconsideration of the Objects of Bibliometrics, Scientometrics, and Informetrics. 1. Towards the Evolution of the Concept of a Document

Introduction. In the context of methodological problems of bibliometrics, we consider the concept of the object of bibliometrics, viz. a document. In regard with the author’s view that the document is also an integral component of  the objects of scientometrics and informetrics, the share of this component being very significant, it seems important to attempt to review some of the evolution that the concept of a “document” has undergone since the dictionary definition of 1975, as the perception of the document as the object of bibliometrics did not incorporate the changes that the concept of a document has undergone irrespectively of its application to “metric” research.

Materials and methods. Analytical interpretation of scientific literature, international and national standards, as well as dictionary articles related to this problem. Based on the above interpretation, an attempt to review the evolution of the term “document” has been made.

Results. The article traces some of the evolution of the concept of “document” since the dictionary definition of 1975 up to the definition of the international standard of 2017 and the paper by Yu. N. Stolyarov of 2018. Currently, any material object that can be used to obtain the information a person needs may be considered as a document.

Discussion and conclusion. This interpretation of the concept of a document, as well as a number of its  predecessors, can be fruitful for a possible reconsideration of the concepts of the objects of bibliometrics,  scientometrics and informetrics.  

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