Bibliometric techniques with Open Data

Dates	November 28, 2023 – December 5, 2023
Teaching modality	Virtual, synchronous and asynchronous
Platforms	Microsoft Teams, Moodle and Telegram
Hours	15 h. (10 instruction and 5 self-directed work)
Assessment	Submission of practical assignments
Certificate issued	Yes
Number of instructors	2
Fee	150 Euros
Number of spots	30
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Introduction

This course arises in a context where the democratization of access to information is profoundly reshaping the landscape of academic research and evaluation. The digital era has triggered an explosion of data sources, offering a wealth of information that is now more accessible than ever before. Open data, a growing trend gaining significant momentum, is increasingly represented by solutions such as OpenAlex and Crossref. These platforms are unlocking unprecedented opportunities to explore, analyze, and evaluate scientific output without the traditional barriers that once restricted access to this valuable information.

The aim of this course is to provide hands-on training in the efficient exploration of open data and its application in the field of bibliometrics. Through a combination of theoretical instruction and practical exercises, participants will be equipped with the necessary skills to explore this open data universe, extract relevant information, and generate bibliometric indicators that can support a more informed and equitable assessment of academic performance.

Teaching Methodology

Our primary goal is to offer a dynamic course format based on live-streamed virtual classes. The course is structured around lecture-style sessions that allow participants to learn directly from the instructors and interact with them in real time. The theoretical content is organized into several thematic blocks, each of which is accompanied by guided practical exercises. During the practical sessions, the instructor will present the activities and explain the tasks to be completed. The virtual classroom will remain open throughout the session to address any questions or difficulties participants may encounter. It is not necessary to complete the exercises during the class itself—participants will have one additional week after the course ends to submit the practical assignments. A tutoring session will be held before the submission deadline to support participants who may still have questions following the virtual classes.

Importantly, the course can be followed in synchronous mode (i.e., attending live sessions) or in asynchronous mode for participants who are unable to join the sessions in real time. A blended approach is also possible, allowing participants to attend some sessions live and others on-demand. In all cases, the evaluation process for certification will be the same.

Platforms

The live sessions will be streamed via Microsoft Teams, and all sessions will be recorded for later access. The course will also make use of a dedicated Moodle platform, where participants will have individualized access to various learning materials and resources, including videos, presentations, readings, links, and practical exercises. Additionally, the Moodle environment will include a forum for academic discussions, and participants will have access to a Telegram workgroup designed for the fast and dynamic resolution of questions.

Assessment

To evaluate the knowledge acquired by participants throughout the course, a practical assignment will be required. This assignment may be submitted up to one week after the course has ended.

Certificates

Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a numbered certificate of achievement, which will include the total number of hours, the final grade, and a detailed list of the course contents.

Registration

A total of 30 spots are available, at a fee of 150 euros (VAT included). Registration is personal and non-transferable. The registration period will close on November 26. 48 hours before the start of the course, registered participants will receive their login credentials for the Moodle platform. Participants may also request a connection test to the streaming platform in order to verify technical compatibility. Payment must be made through the EC3metrics online payment platform using a credit or debit card. If card payment is not possible, payment may alternatively be made via bank transfer. In this case, please contact the course organizers in advance at investigacion@ec3metrics.com. If required, we can issue an official invoice to support reimbursement or documentation purposes with your institution.

IMPORTANT: Once payment has been completed, please send an email to investigacion@ec3metrics.com with the payment receipt and your personal details (full name, national ID or equivalent, and affiliated institution).

Instructors

The course is taught by a team of professionals, researchers, and faculty members who are actively engaged in bibliometrics and data science. Meet the instructors:

Torres-Salinas, Daniel – Google Scholar Profile. Daniel holds a PhD in Scientific Documentation from the University of Granada. He combines his role as a Senior Consultant with his work at the Scientific Activity Evaluation Unit at the University of Granada. He also leads the Digital Science research area at Medialab UGR. In addition, he has held academic positions at the University of Navarra.
Arroyo-Machado, Wenceslao – Google Scholar Profile. Wenceslao Arroyo-Machado holds a PhD in Information and Communication Technologies from the University of Granada (UGR), with a specialization in altmetrics and big data challenges. He plays an active role in the field of research and has been a key contributor to EC3metrics in recent years, participating in the development of institutional reports and teaching specialized courses. This synergy has enabled him to introduce innovative techniques in bibliometric reporting and to propose practical methodologies for research assessment.

Course Programme

Module I: The Bibliometric Pathway and Open Data (2 h.)

The Bibliometric Pathway. Daniel Torres-Salinas (1 hour)
Setting Up the Working Environment. Wenceslao Arroyo-Machado (1 hour)

Module II: Data Extraction (3 h.)

API Query Techniques. Wenceslao Arroyo-Machado (2 hours)
Development of a Practical Case Combinig Multipe APIs. Wenceslao Arroyo-Machado (1 hour)

Module III: Bibliometric Analysis (3 h.)

Bibliometric Analysis: From Macro to Micro. Wenceslao Arroyo-Machado (2 hours)
Development of a Practical Case for the Evaluation of Academic Performance. Wenceslao Arroyo-Machado (1 hour)

Module IV: Advisory (3 h.)

Round Table for the Review of Specific Cases. Wenceslao Arroyo-Machado (2 hours)
Tutoring Session. Wenceslao Arroyo-Machado (1 hour)

	Tuesday 28 November	Wednesday 29 November	Thursday 30 November	Tuesday 5 December
16:00-18:00	Module I The Bibliometric Pathway	Module II API Query	Module III Bibliometric Analysis	Module IV Tutoring Session
BREAK
18:30-19:30	Module I Working Environment	Module II Practical Case API	Module III Practical Case
19:30-20:30			Module IV Specific Cases

Module Summaries

The bibliometric pathway. This session will explore the historical and contemporary context of bibliometrics, highlighting how open data is transforming access to and analysis of scientific output. Major open data platforms and tools will be introduced, and emerging trends that are redefining the field of bibliometrics will be discussed.

Setting up the working environment. Participants will receive a practical introduction to various open data tools and platforms. This session lays the groundwork for effective data exploration and extraction by providing an understanding of how to access and navigate these tools to obtain bibliometric data.

API query techniques. This session focuses on techniques for querying data through APIs, teaching participants how to use programming interfaces to access and extract bibliometric data. Through practical examples, attendees will learn to formulate effective and creative queries to retrieve the desired data.

Developing a practical case combining multiple APIs. This session is designed to address the main challenges and best practices in data extraction through APIs by working through a case study involving the integration of data from multiple sources.

Bibliometric analysis: from macro to micro. In this session, participants will learn how to analyze extracted data at various levels. The session will cover analysis at the publication, author, and institutional levels, offering insights into how data can be used to identify trends, evaluate performance, and generate valuable insights.

Developing a practical case for academic performance evaluation. Building upon the previous case study, this session will guide participants in generating various indicators and outputs related to academic performance. The session will illustrate not only the possibilities of using open data but also the challenges associated with its interpretation and application.

Round table for the review of specific cases. In this final session, participants will reflect on how to apply the concepts learned to real-world contexts. Attendees are encouraged to share their experiences and raise specific questions in order to receive targeted guidance.

Tutoring session. An optional support session aimed at resolving any remaining questions before the end of the course.