Cowhitt, T. , Butler, T. and Wilson, E. (2020) Using social network analysis to complete literature reviews: a new systematic approach for independent researchers to detect and interpret prominent research programs within large collections of relevant literature. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 23(5), pp. 483-496. (doi: 10.1080/13645579.2019.1704356)
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Abstract
Literature reviews are required at early stages of a traditional research progression. Many systematic approaches help researchers identify relevant literature. However, there is far less support for interpreting large collections of references. Understanding the evolution of knowledge within a discipline requires an awareness of the collaborative networks from which significant advances originate. Unfortunately, this relational awareness is only acquired after years of professional experience. Therefore, early-career researchers are at a fundamental disadvantage when conducting literature reviews. Social Network Analysis (SNA) can make the interpretation of large collections of literature more manageable. This paper provides a method for generating a co-authorship network from reference lists. The partition of the co-authorship network into communities provides a reviewer with direction to organise literature into meaningful groups. The interpretation of seemingly disparate and entangled research programs is far more manageable when interpreting smaller collections of highly relevant literature.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Cowhitt, Dr Thomas |
| Authors: | Cowhitt, T., Butler, T., and Wilson, E. |
| College/School: | College of Social Sciences > School of Education |
| Journal Name: | International Journal of Social Research Methodology |
| Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
| ISSN: | 1364-5579 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1464-5300 |
| Published Online: | 17 December 2019 |
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