Bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics. Part 1. Emergence and background

A simplified and sometimes vulgar understanding of the role of scientometrics in science management makes it necessary to better understand its essential characteristics. In this paper, scientometrics is considered in interrelations with bibliometrics and informetrics that are the fields of knowledge closest to it. Briefly considered are the published works that mark their emergence and the ones that represent their background; the objects of bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics are reinterpreted and the methods are surveyed. The subject of the first part of the present paper is the emergence and background of scientometrics and the related fields of knowledge. The main conclusion is that the methodological proximity of bibliometrics, scientometrics and informetrics borders on their indistinguishability.