INTRODUCTION.Rapid knowledge generation makes the need for measurement tools such as bibliometric analysis essential. Such tools are exercises for the effective development of research, characterizing the scientific production of individuals, institutions and countries from a qualitative and quantitative point of view, minimizing the subjectivity inherent in the indexing of knowledge in a scientific field particular (1). However, until now, there is no universally accepted methodology(2) and a complete analysis including peer review involves great complexity, therefore costs, and a certain degree of subjectivity which prevents obtaining 'a holistic and objective vision of the scenario(1, 3). With these evaluations, we compare realities and identify strengths/weaknesses, potential/consolidated, dispersed/concentrated research areas, which can be oriented to prioritize researchers, groups, research axes, etc., thanks to the 'allocation of resources beyond the quality that a project promises (1, 4). The two most important indicators of these evaluations are productivity, the total number of articles published and the impact factor (IF), as introduced by Garfield(2) - the ratio of citations in a given year to articles published during the year. two previous years, and the total number of these articles(4, 5). Another relevant indicator is the h index(6), which synthesizes productivity and FI into a single value(7). But not all publications or citations are taken into account in these analyses. Currently, the main attention is given to those which are indexed in two databases specially designed for this purpose: the best known and most used is Thomson Reuters (formerly ISI), although in recent years the use of Scopus ( Elsevier) has grown because of its greater inclusiveness. and r...... middle of paper ......ientometric perspective. Scientometrics 2013; 94: 615-28.11.- Abramo G, Ciriaco A, Solazzo M. The relationship between the research performance of scientists and the degree of internationalization of their research. Scientometrics 2011; 86: 629-43.12.- Manterola C, Pineda V, Vial M, Losada H. What is the methodological quality of human therapy studies in ISI surgical publications? Ann Surg. 2006; 244: 827–32.13.- Sharma S, Thomas VJ. Analysis of cross-country R&D efficiency: an application of data envelopment analysis. Scientometrics 2008; 76: 483-501.14.- Wang J. Choosing the citation time window for research impact. Scientometrics 2013; 94: 851-72.15.- Krauskopf E. Standardization of the institutional address. Scientometrics. 2013; 94:1313-5.16.- Derrick G, Sturk H, Haynes A, Chapman S, Hall W. A bibliometric cautionary tale of two cities. Scientometrics 2010; 84: 317-320.