Science Mapping

Science mapping is a bibliometric visualization method that creates visual representations of research domains, showing the structure, development, and relationships of scientific fields. Using bibliographic data (citations, keywords, authors, journals), science mapping algorithms generate network diagrams where nodes represent documents, concepts, or authors and edges represent relationships (citation, collaboration, semantic similarity). The resulting maps make invisible intellectual structures visible, enabling researchers to understand field topology, identify emerging areas, and navigate disciplinary landscapes. Pioneered by Börner, Chen, and Boyack in the 2000s, science mapping has become a standard tool in research evaluation and strategic planning.