Klavans, R (Klavans, Richard); Boyack, KW (Boyack, Kevin W.) Toward a Consensus Map of Science JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 60 (3): 455-476 MAR 2009

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Address: rklavans at mapofscience.com; kboyack at mapofscience.com 

Author(s): Klavans, R (Klavans, Richard); Boyack, KW (Boyack, Kevin W.) 

Title: Toward a Consensus Map of Science 

Source: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND 
TECHNOLOGY, 60 (3): 455-476 MAR 2009 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

KeyWords Plus: SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS; DOMAINS 

Abstract: A consensus map of science is generated from an analysis of 20 
existing maps of science. These 20 maps occur in three basic forms: 
hierarchical, centric, and noncentric (or circular). The consensus map, 
generated from consensus edges that occur in at least half of the input 
maps, emerges in a circular form. The ordering of areas is as follows: 
mathematics is (arbitrarily) placed at the top of the circle, and is 
followed clockwise by physics, physical chemistry, engineering, chemistry, 
earth sciences, biology, biochemistry, infectious diseases, medicine, 
health services, brain research, psychology, humanities, social sciences, 
and computer science. The link between computer science and mathematics 
completes the circle. If the lowest weighted edges are pruned from this 
consensus circular map, a hierarchical map stretching from mathematics to 
social sciences results. The circular map of science is found to have a 
high level of correspondence with the 20 existing maps, and has a variety 
of advantages over hierarchical and centric forms. A one-dimensional 
Riemannian version of the consensus map is also proposed. 

Addresses: [Klavans, Richard] SciTech Strategies Inc, Berwyn, PA 19312 
USA; [Boyack, Kevin W.] SciTech Strategies Inc, Albuquerque, NM 87122 USA 

Reprint Address: Klavans, R, SciTech Strategies Inc, Berwyn, PA 19312 USA. 

E-mail Address: rklavans at mapofscience.com; kboyack at mapofscience.com 

Cited Reference Count: 26 

Times Cited: 0 

Publisher: JOHN WILEY & SONS INC 

Publisher Address: 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN, NJ 07030 USA 

ISSN: 1532-2882 

DOI: 10.1002/asi.20991 

29-char Source Abbrev.: J AM SOC INF SCI TECHNOL 

ISO Source Abbrev.: J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci. Technol. 

Source Item Page Count: 22 

Subject Category: Computer Science, Information Systems; Information 
Science & Library Science 

ISI Document Delivery No.: 415LK 

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