A connectionist and multivariate approach to science maps: SOM and statistics techniques applied to Library & Information Science research

[Loet Leydesdorff]

Dear Adrian and colleagues,
 
The problem is, in my opinion, that there are an infinite number of
similarity criteria and an expanding large number of clustering
algorithms available. Thus, one can generate almost any representation.
Furthermore, software developers will be interested to show that their
software can generate an even better picture.
 
I remember that when I first used cluster analysis (early 1980s), I was
shocked by the fact that I could produce completely incompatible (but
nice) pictures from my journal-journal citation matrices by using
CLUSTAN. (At that time CLUSTAN was available at the mainframe and output
was through a HP graphics plotter. Nowadays, I have it running on my own
PC.) At issue is the analytical quality of the various representations.
Why is one representation better than another, and for which purposes?
 
Since I submitted my contribution to another journal (see the abstract
below), I am not volunteering to act as a referee in response to your
call. 
 
ABSTRACT:

The use of Pearson’s correlation coefficient in Author Cocitation
Analysis was compared with Salton’s cosine measure in a number of recent
contributions. The cosine is non-parametric and therefore insensitive to
the number of zeros. However, a logarithmic transformation can also be
applied in correlation analysis. Information calculus is based on
logarithmic transformations and provides a non-parametric statistics.
Using this methodology, one can cluster a document set in a precise way
and express the differences in terms of bits of information. The
decomposition is independent from assumptions about the shape of the
distribution. The algorithm is explained and demonstrated using the data
set which was made the subject of this discussion.


I look forward to reading the announced contribution to your journal in
print (in due time).
 
With kind regards, 
 
 
Loet 
  _____  

Loet Leydesdorff 
Amsterdam School of Communications Research (ASCoR)
Kloveniersburgwal 48, 1012 CX Amsterdam
Tel.: +31-20- 525 6598; fax: +31-20- 525 3681 
 <mailto:loet at leydesdorff.net> loet at leydesdorff.net ;
<http://www.leydesdorff.net/> http://www.leydesdorff.net/ 

 
 <http://www.upublish.com/books/leydesdorff-sci.htm> The Challenge of
Scientometrics ;  <http://www.upublish.com/books/leydesdorff.htm> The
Self-Organization of the Knowledge-Based Society



> -----Original Message-----
> From: ASIS&T Special Interest Group on Metrics
> [mailto:SIGMETRICS at LISTSERV.UTK.EDU] On Behalf Of Adrian Dale
> (Journal of Information Science)
> Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2004 7:48 PM
> To: SIGMETRICS at LISTSERV.UTK.EDU
> Subject: [SIGMETRICS] A connectionist and multivariate
> approach to science maps: SOM and statistics techniques
> applied to Library & Information Science research
>
>
> We have received the following paper for review:
>
> A connectionist and multivariate approach to science maps:
> SOM and statistics techniques applied to Library &
> Information Science research
>
> Abstract
> --------
> The visualization of scientific field structures is a classic
> application of scientometric studies. This paper presents a
> domain analysis of the Library & Information Science
> discipline based on author cocitation analysis (ACA) and
> journal cocitation analysis (JCA). The techniques used for
> map construction are the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) neural
> algorithm, Ward´s clustering method and Multidimensional
> Scaling (MDS). The results of this study are compared with
> similar research developed by Howard White and Katherine McCain.
>
> We are looking for a panel of suitably qualified referees for
> this paper
> - if you feel you have the necessary background and could
> complete the review in 28 days, please drop me an e-mail and
> I'll forward the paper. The paper remains the copyright of
> the author until it is accepted for publication - at which
> point the copyright is assigned to the Chartered Institute of
> Library and Information Professionals - CILIP.
>
> Adrian Dale
> Editor
> Journal of Information Science
> ------------------------------
> EMail:  Adrian.Dale at Creatifica.com
> Tel:    +44 1933 622624
> Fax:    +44 870 127 8215
> Mobile: +44 7850 570007
> Paper:  Creatifica House, 21 Water Lane, Chelveston,
> Wellingborough, Northants, NN9 6AP, UK
> 

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