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How can the analysis of the most cited publications (via a citation network) complement the thematic findings from a keyword analysis?

I've conducted a keyword analysis to identify themes, but my supervisor suggested I also analyze citation networks. I understand they're different, but I'm unclear on how their findings specifically complement each other to give a fuller picture.

 

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By Natasha Answered 4 years ago

They provide different, crucial layers. From my work, I see keyword analysis maps the conceptual space what researchers are talking about. The citation network maps the influence or intellectual debt what foundational work they are building upon. I would recommend this: the keyword clusters show you the current "what." The citation network shows you the historical "why" and "how" for those themes. A highly cited paper in a weak keyword area signals a foundational idea that may need contemporary thematic revival. Together, they give you both the conversation and its lineage.

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