The links and the webometric studies

Abstract

This article deals with quantitative studies applied to the Internet and the Web. It addresses the concept of webometrics, its scope, uses and possible designations. It points out the differences between this concept and cybermetrics and it establishes the relationship that these two methods maintain with the tradicional fields of bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics. It also focuses on a resource that has been calling much attention among researchers, not only because it facilitates surfing on the Web sites, but also because it represents one of the most relevant indicators in webometric studies: weblinks. Toward the end, this article reviews the research that has been done about structure, functions and motivations for creating links on the Web space.

Webometrics; Cybermetrics; Quantitative methods; Weblinks