Keypoints

• Science mapping is a discipline for visualizing the structure and relationships of scientific literature in a particular field, and it is increasingly being used as a tool for systematic literature reviews.
• It allows scholars to quickly identify key players, influential works, gaps, overlaps and trends in a particular field.

Science mapping is a discipline for visualizing the structure and relationships of scientific literature in a particular field. It is increasingly being used as a tool for systematic literature reviews, as it allows researchers to quickly identify key areas of research, as well as gaps and overlaps in the literature.

The process of science mapping begins by selecting a set of articles that are relevant to the research question at hand. These articles are then analyzed using bibliometric techniques, such as citation, collaboration, and co-word analysis, to identify patterns in the literature. The resulting data is then used to create a visual representation of the literature, such as a map or network diagram.

Intellectual structure. It shows the relationships among bibliographic references cited from a collection of papers, bringing out what are the reference roots for a topic or area of interest.

Collaboration analysis. One of the main benefits of science mapping is that it allows researchers to quickly identify the key players and influential works in a particular field. For example, a map may reveal that a particular author or group of authors is particularly influential in a field, or that a particular article has been cited extensively by other researchers.

Conceptual analysis. Science mapping also allows researchers to identify gaps and overlaps in the literature. For example, a map may reveal that there is a lack of research on a particular topic, or that a particular area of research is oversaturated. This can help researchers to identify areas where further research is needed, and to avoid duplication of effort.

Another benefit of science mapping is that it allows researchers to quickly identify trends and patterns in the literature. For example, a map may reveal that research in a particular field is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, or that a particular methodology is becoming popular. This can help researchers to identify emerging trends and to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in their field.

In conclusion, science mapping is a powerful tool for systematic literature reviews, as it allows researchers to quickly identify key areas of research, gaps and overlaps in the literature and trends and patterns in a field.