Tapping into scientific knowledge flows via semantic links

Abstract

We present a new technique to semantically analyze knowledge flows between countries by using bibliometric data. Using a new approach to keyword-based clustering, the technique identifies the main topics of the research output of a country, as well as the main topics of the citing research of other countries. In this way it provides insight into how research produced by one country is used by others. We present a case study to illustrate the use of our proposed technique in the subject area of Renewable Energy during 2005-2010 using data from the Scopus database. We compare the Japanese and Chinese papers that cite the scientific literature produced by researchers from the United States in order to show the difference in the use of same knowledge. While the Japanese researchers focus on research areas such as efficient use of Photovoltaics and Superconductors, Chinese researchers focus in areas related to Power Systems, Power Management and Hydrogen Production. Such analyses may be helpful in establishing more effective multi-national research collaboration.