Abstract: As a discipline that primarily employs quantitative methods to measure scientific activity, scientometrics has become an indispensable methodological tool for research policy research. However, there have always been voices questioning the validity of its measurements. This paper seeks to understand the characteristics and value of scientometrics by examining its complex historical origins and evolution. It aims to elucidate the intricate yet structured relationships between scientometrics and related fields such as the science of science, history of science and technology, sociology of science, philosophy of science, bibliometrics, research policy research, and computational sociology. The paper emphasizes that only within an interdisciplinary research paradigm can scientometrics achieve the unity of instrumental rationality and value rationality, thereby more objectively and effectively measuring scientific progress and providing robust support for insights into science and technology development.

摘要： 作为以量化和数学方法为主来测度科学的一门学问，科学计量学已经成为科技政策研究不可缺少的方法性支撑工具，然而对其进行科学测度的质疑声音也从未停止过。本文试图从科学计量学源起和发展的复杂历史背景中去把握这门学问的特点和价值，厘清其与科学学、科学技术史、科学社会学、科学哲学、文献计量学、科技政策研究、计算社会学之间复杂而又有秩序的关联和脉络，强调科学计量学只有在跨学科研究范式中，才有可能实现其工具理性和价值理性的统一，从而更为客观有效地测度科学，从而为提供科技发展洞见提供有力支撑。