Mapping the Intellectual Structure of Social Network Research: A Comparative Bibliometric Analysis

TL;DR

This paper uses bibliometric analysis of three leading social network journals to map the field's structure, key contributors, influential works, and interdisciplinary convergence points, revealing its evolving trajectory.

Contribution

It provides a comparative bibliometric mapping of social network research across three major journals, highlighting disciplinary boundaries and convergence areas.

Findings

Identifies key authors and influential publications.

Maps collaboration and citation networks.

Highlights interdisciplinary trends and convergence points.

Abstract

Network science is an interdisciplinary field that transcends traditional academic boundaries, offering profound insights into complex systems across disciplines. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of three leading journals, Social Networks, Network Science, and the Journal of Complex Networks, each representing a distinct yet interconnected perspective within the field. Social Networks focuses on empirical and theoretical advancements in social structures, emphasizing sociological and behavioral approaches. Network Science bridges physics, computer science, and applied mathematics to explore network dynamics in diverse domains. The Journal of Complex Networks, by contrast, is dedicated to the mathematical and algorithmic foundations of network theory. By employing co-authorship and citation network analysis, we map the intellectual landscape of these journals, identifying key contributors, influential works, and structural trends in collaboration. Through centrality measures such as degree, betweenness, and eigenvector centrality, we uncover the most impactful publications and their roles in shaping the discourse within and beyond their respective domains. Our analysis not only delineates the disciplinary contours of network science but also highlights its convergence points, revealing the evolving trajectory of this dynamic and rapidly expanding field.