Citation Indexes in Sociological and Historical Research.

The use of citation data in the computer construction of historical network diagrams is proposed. A new "critical path method" of evaluating the impact of individual scientific discoveries is described as welt as a "critical impact" factor which measures the arborization of specific papers or ideas through the subsequent literature. The danger of indiscriminate, unqualified use of quantitative citation data in sociological evaluations is emphasized. However, citation indexes do make thorough qualitative evaluations possible by providing a practical tool for locating subsequent criticisms of particular papers by specified authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]