Investigating Document Type, Language, Publication Year, and Author Count Discrepancies Between OpenAlex and Web of Science

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Mongeon, Philippe, Hare, Madelaine, Riddle, Poppy, Wilson, Summer, Krause, Geoff, Marjoram, Rebecca, Toupin, Rémi
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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_version_ 1866916918013722624
author Mongeon, Philippe
Hare, Madelaine
Riddle, Poppy
Wilson, Summer
Krause, Geoff
Marjoram, Rebecca
Toupin, Rémi
author_facet Mongeon, Philippe
Hare, Madelaine
Riddle, Poppy
Wilson, Summer
Krause, Geoff
Marjoram, Rebecca
Toupin, Rémi
contents Bibliometrics, whether used for research or research evaluation, relies on large multidisciplinary databases of research outputs and citation indices. The Web of Science (WoS) was the main supporting infrastructure of the field for more than 30 years until several new competitors emerged. OpenAlex, a bibliographic database launched in 2022, has distinguished itself for its openness and extensive coverage. While OpenAlex may reduce or eliminate barriers to accessing bibliometric data, one of the concerns that hinders its broader adoption for research and research evaluation is the quality of its metadata. This study aims to assess metadata quality in OpenAlex and WoS, focusing on document type, publication year, language, and number of authors. By addressing discrepancies and misattributions in metadata, this research seeks to enhance awareness of data quality issues that could impact bibliometric research and evaluation outcomes.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_18620
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Investigating Document Type, Language, Publication Year, and Author Count Discrepancies Between OpenAlex and Web of Science
Mongeon, Philippe
Hare, Madelaine
Riddle, Poppy
Wilson, Summer
Krause, Geoff
Marjoram, Rebecca
Toupin, Rémi
Digital Libraries
Bibliometrics, whether used for research or research evaluation, relies on large multidisciplinary databases of research outputs and citation indices. The Web of Science (WoS) was the main supporting infrastructure of the field for more than 30 years until several new competitors emerged. OpenAlex, a bibliographic database launched in 2022, has distinguished itself for its openness and extensive coverage. While OpenAlex may reduce or eliminate barriers to accessing bibliometric data, one of the concerns that hinders its broader adoption for research and research evaluation is the quality of its metadata. This study aims to assess metadata quality in OpenAlex and WoS, focusing on document type, publication year, language, and number of authors. By addressing discrepancies and misattributions in metadata, this research seeks to enhance awareness of data quality issues that could impact bibliometric research and evaluation outcomes.
title Investigating Document Type, Language, Publication Year, and Author Count Discrepancies Between OpenAlex and Web of Science
topic Digital Libraries
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.18620