Resumen: This article critically examines the role of citations in the evaluation of scientific contributions, tracing the evolution of citation theory from its normative origins to contemporary constructivist perspectives. It delves into how citations have historically been used as indicators of scientific quality and impact, while also discussing the influence of social, political, and rhetorical factors that may complicate their interpretive value. With the rise of digital media, the introduction of altmetrics is explored as an alternative measure that captures broader impacts of research. The article highlights the challenges associated with traditional citation metrics, including potential biases and the Matthew effect, and argues for a more nuanced approach to research evaluation that includes a combination of citation analysis, qualitative measures, and new metrics. By offering a comprehensive review of citation practices across different disciplines, the article provides valuable insights for academics, researchers, and policymakers involved in research evaluation. Idioma: Inglés DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.11408429 Año: 2024 Publicado en: International journal of social science and humanities research 12, 2 (2024), 192 - 194 ISSN: 2348-3156 Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)