Summary
Mapping of science and technology can be done at different levels of aggregation, using a variety of methods. In this paper, we propose a method in which title words are used as indicators for the content of a research topic, and cited references are used as the context in which words get their meaning. Research topics are represented by sets of papers that are similar in terms of these word-reference combinations. In this way we use words without neglecting differences and changes in their meanings. The method has several advantages, such as high coverage of publications. As an illustration we apply the method to produce knowledge maps of information science.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van den Besselaar, P., Heimeriks, G. Mapping research topics using word-reference co-occurrences: A method and an exploratory case study. Scientometrics 68, 377–393 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-006-0118-9
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-006-0118-9