VOSviewer

Bibliometric maps

VOSviewer is a computer programme developed at CWTS for constructing and visualizing bibliometric maps. Bibliometric maps provide a low-dimensional representation of the structure of a scientific domain. These maps yield insight into relations between fields or topics. They also indicate the amount of activity in different fields or the amount of attention the scientific community pays to certain topics.  

In addition, bibliometric maps can provide a dynamic perspective on a scientific domain, revealing trends such as the increasing amount of attention for a topic or the convergence of different research streams.

A state-of-the-art mapping technique

VOSviewer uses a state-of-the-art mapping technique (VOS), for constructing bibliometric maps. The software has the ability to visualize bibliometric maps in various different ways, where depending on one's interest it is possible to focus either on the global structure of a map or on a map's more detailed characteristics. Bibliometric maps can also be explored interactively. The software has functionality for zooming, panning, and searching, which facilitates the detailed examination of a map.

More information

Go to the VOSviewer website.