Bibliometric mapping
Bibliometric mapping of science is a technique/method to generate an overview of a research field.
Methodology
Bibliometric mapping of science is a technique/method to generate an overview of a research field. A research field can be defined (delineated) by search terms, journals or any bibliographic field yielding a set of publications covering the main research in that particular field.
Starting with this set of publications, we generate an overview of the field, disclosing sub-domains and their mutual (cognitive) relation in a two-dimensional space (a map), in such a way that sub-domains with a strong relation are in each other's vicinity while those with a weak relation are distant from each other. With this overview, a user is able to explore the field with respect to: main actors, institutes with high impact, and all kinds of other sub-domain characteristics.
Interface
The map can be considered as an interface to retrieve the information described, not as a standard Information Retrieval (IR) tool such as an internet search engine. Such IR tools are designed to search in a (publication) database to disclose particular documents of interest. They do not generate a top-down overview of the field. Such an overview can be used to find information if you are able to interpret it.
An analogous situation applies for a person trying to find his way in a city. If you are well acquainted with the city, a map will suffice for you to get to point A. If you are a complete stranger, in the sense that you only know that there is a point A, the best way to get there is to stop a cab and ask him to bring you to point A.
Projectmembers
Most of the scientific mapping work is done by:
- Dr. E.C.M. Noyons and
- .