摘要：This paper aims to demonstrate that establishing a single discipline is of primary importance for further development of quantitative research into processes of generation, communication, and usage of scientific and other substantive information, known in the literature as bibliometric, scientometric and informetric studies. Establishing a single discipline is primarily required (1) to define and formalize the nature and boundaries of a discipline that will enable development in a consistent way, as well as (2) to facilitate knowledge systematization and standardization of terminology. The first part of the article gives a critical presentation of the current situation and the reasons behind it. The second part presents and discusses the concept of informetrics as a common integrative discipline.
关键词：information science; quantitative studies; bibliometrics; scientometrics; informetrics; establishing a single discipline
