ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the reader with an introductory understanding of the history, composition, and uses of the Web of Science (WoS) citation databases for Bibliometric and Scientometric analysis. It describes the use of citation databases for monitoring and mapping research trends. The chapter then reviews the current literature that reflects the use of WoS as a research resource. From its beginnings, the WoS has been developed using a consistently applied editorial process that emphasizes the selection of the world's best journals. To mitigate risk, the WoS continues to focus on select, curated content in line with the founding principles of Dr. Eugene Garfield when he launched the Science Citation Index in 1964 and the Journal Citation Reports in 1975. The editorial team members are constantly assessing their area of science or the arts to identify emerging disciplines and topics that may become the subject area of new journal titles.
