Bibliometrics and Pentecostal Scholarship

What is it about?

For over fifty years Pneuma has served as an important vehicle for drawing attention to new research in the ever-growing field of Pentecostal scholarship. Bibliometrics is a unique way to assess the impact of that scholarship and to understand where Pentecostal studies has been and what directions are still in need of further research. This article has demonstrated that bibliometric research in theological studies is only beginning to emerge, but its value can be seen in several unique ways. First, it acts as a mirror by quantifiably reflecting trends in theological research that may have been anecdotally assumed or overlooked altogether. For Pneuma, it has documented author trends such as the growth of female authorship, co-authorship, and topic trends like the prominence of contextual theology. But is has also revealed areas of weakness that scholars can use to address gaps in the development of the tradition. Second, quantitative research has a way of placing bias into sharp focus and offers new tools for talking about sensitive issues in research and publication like gender politics and ethnic inclusiveness. This is important for theological community that values inclusiveness and equal access to participation. Third, bibliometric data is measurable and hypotheses about publication trends in theology can be tested. It allows a researcher or journal to take greater responsibility for the work they put out into the world and to track its reception.

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