Science mapping
Bibliometrics
Definition. Science mapping uses bibliographic networks to visualise the intellectual, conceptual and social structure of a research field and its evolution.
Explanation
Software such as SciMAT supports longitudinal science mapping with thematic evolution analysis (Cobo et al., 2012). Applications include health information management (Tengilimoğlu et al., 2024). Guidelines for peer review of bibliometric reviews stress transparent choices in mapping (Hoang, 2025).
Related concepts
Bibliometric analysis Co-citation analysis Co-word analysis Bibliographic coupling
Read on The Health Topics
- SciMAT: An Open-Source Science Mapping Software Tool
- Navigating Health Information Management: A Bibliometric Review
- Evaluating Bibliometrics: A Practical Peer Review Guide
References
Cobo, M. J., López-Herrera, A. G., Herrera-Viedma, E., & Herrera, F. (2012). SciMAT: A new science mapping analysis software tool. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 63 (8), 1609–1630. doi:10.1002/asi.22688.
Hoang, A.-D. (2025). Evaluating Bibliometrics Reviews: A Practical Guide for Peer Review and Critical Reading. Evaluation Review. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193841X251336839
Tengilimoğlu, D., Orhan, F., Şenel Tekin, P., & Younis, M. (2024). Analysis of Publications on Health Information Management Using the Science Mapping Method: A Holistic Perspective. Healthcare, 12 (3), 287. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12030287
Cite this entry: Kurutkan, M. N. (2026). Science mapping. In The Health Topics glossary. https://healthtopic.org/glossary/science-mapping/