Science mapping
This theme is dedicated to all aspects of structuring science output and linking individual objects. Structuring science is about identifying fields, sub-fields and research themes and relating them to each other.
Aim
This theme is dedicated to all aspects of structuring science output and linking individual objects. Structuring science is about identifying fields, sub-fields and research themes and relating them to each other. Individual objects refer to actors in science (countries, organisation, research groups and persons), context elements in publications (journals, themes, keywords etc.) or publication in general. These objects are linked through direct relations or through similar patterns.
Within the existing CWTS research tradition this theme relates to science mapping, co-word analysis, co-citation analysis and network analysis. However, here are clearly strong relations to growth analysis, as well as to performance indicators research. Regarding the CWTS tradition, it primarily relates to data mining, and information retrieval.
A well-developed instrument
Within the dynamic organisation of science research, a well-developed instrument to evaluate its dynamics and the position of actors within is crucial. The objectives in this programme are directed at monitoring dynamics of science, science fields and themes. Thus, we will be able to explore research trends, organisational patterns and ultimately we should be able to forecast modestly future developments.
Theory on networks and characterisation of a network organisation will provide new insights into developments of science and science fields. As such this relates to the traditional research CWTS programme of science systems. Furthermore, as traditional science classification is imperfect to estimate an actor's performance within its proper context, we need a more dynamic or at least a less traditional and rigid means to determine the proper context of an actor's output or an individual publication.
More information
More information of the staff affiliated to this theme, and their publications can be found on the CWTS research website. Explore and test our mapping developments at the vosviewer website and the projects website.