On the challenges ahead of spatial scientometrics focusing on the city level

Abstract: Since the mid-1970s, it has become highly acknowledged to measure and evaluate changes in international research collaborations and the scientific performance of institutions and countries through the prism of bibliometric and scientometric data. Spatial bibliometrics and scientometrics (henceforward spatial scientometrics) have traditionally focused on examining both country and regional levels; however, in recent years, numerous spatial analyses on the city level have been carried out. While city-level scientometric analyses have gained popularity among policymakers and statistical/economic research organizations, researchers in the field of bibliometrics are divided regarding whether it is possible to observe the spatial unit 'city' through bibliometric and scientometric tools. After systematically scrutinizing relevant studies in the field, three major problems have been identified: 1) there is no standardized method of how cities should be defined and how metropolitan areas should be delineated, 2) there is no standardized method of how bibliometric and scientometric data on the city level should be collected and processed and 3) it is not clearly defined how cities can profit from the results of bibliometric and scientometric analysis focusing on them. This paper investigates major challenges ahead of spatial scientometrics, focusing on the city level and presents some possible solutions.