Can epidemic models describe the diffusion of research topics across disciplines?
Broom, M., Kiss, I. Z. & Rafols, I. (2009). Can epidemic models describe the diffusion of research topics across disciplines? In: Birger Larsen & Jacqueline Leta (Eds.), Proceedings of the 12th International Conference of the International Society for Scientometrics and Informetrics. 12th International Conference of the International Society for Scientometrics and Informetrics, 14-07-2009 - 17-07-2009, Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract
This paper introduces a new approach to describe the spread of research topics across disciplines using epidemic models. The approach is based on applying individual-based models from mathematical epidemiology to the diffusion of a research topic over a contact network that represents knowledge flows over the map of science –as obtained from citations between ISI Subject Categories. Using research publications on the protein class kinesin as a case study, we report a better fit between model and empirical data when using the citation-based contact network. Incubation periods on the order of 4 to 15.5 years support the view that, whilst research topics may grow very quickly, they face difficulties to overcome disciplinary boundaries.
| Publication Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Publisher Keywords: | knowledge diffusion, epidemic model, science map |
| Subjects: | Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > Z665 Library Science. Information Science |
| Departments: | School of Science & Technology > Mathematics |
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