Conceptual difficulties in the use of statistical inference in citation analysis

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the conceptual challenges of applying statistical inference to citation analysis, questioning its usefulness due to major theoretical difficulties.

Contribution

It provides a critical analysis of the arguments supporting statistical inference in citation analysis, highlighting significant conceptual issues.

Findings

Statistical inference in citation analysis faces major conceptual difficulties.

The usefulness of statistical inference in citation analysis is highly questionable.

Abstract

In this comment, I discuss the use of statistical inference in citation analysis. In a recent paper, Williams and Bornmann argue in favor of the use of statistical inference in citation analysis. I present a critical analysis of their arguments and of similar arguments provided elsewhere in the literature. My conclusion is that the use of statistical inference in citation analysis involves major conceptual difficulties and, consequently, that the usefulness of statistical inference in citation analysis is highly questionable.