Sound scientometrics depends on two things: high-quality, well-understood source data, and the judgement to turn that data into indicators you can defend. This webinar introduces two complementary Elsevier tools Scopus, one of the largest curated abstract and citation databases, and SciVal, an analytics platform built for research evaluation and strategy — and shows how they fit the workflow taught across the esss programme.

Picking up the programme's own threads — data quality, query design, citation-based indicators, subject normalisation, and responsible evaluation — we'll work through realistic use cases rather than a feature tour. By the end you'll understand the coverage, structure, and analytical reach of both platforms, as well as where their limits lie, and be ready to use them when your trial access begins.

In the session we will cover how to:

1. Construct and refine bibliometric datasets in Scopus, and design queries for reliable retrieval.
2. Analyse citation impact at article, author, institutional, and field level, using field-normalised indicators.
3. Surface emerging topics, collaboration networks, and cross-disciplinary links.
4. Benchmark institutional performance against national and global peers in SciVal.
5. Inform decisions on research priorities, partnerships, and grant positioning.
6. Interpret indicators responsibly — understanding scope, caveats, and appropriate use in a CoARA/DORA context.

As an esss participant you will receive complimentary access to both Scopus and SciVal for the duration of the Summer School and a short period afterwards.