scientometrics

This essay expresses subjective objections to some characteristic features of academic writing and publishing. The focus is on pursuing the required number of publications related to the authors' career growth and the consequences of meeting this requirement. Some of the problems associated with selecting the texts in the scientific publications and their evaluation according to the requirements of scientometrics are highlighted. An increasingly widespread model of scientific texts and the formal requirements it imposes are also commented on.

The article outlines the international discussions surrounding the evaluation of research to demonstrate the evolution of the concept of "impact" – from impact solely as a contribution to knowledge, through impact as a contribution to knowledge and the economy, to impact as a contribution to knowledge, the economy, and society. It discusses two approaches to evaluating societal impact and analyses the current state of research evaluation in Bulgaria. In conclusion, the argument is made that societal impact should be systematically evaluated also in Bulgaria.