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What is the primary objective of conducting a bibliometric analysis on a specific research field?

As I'm planning a new research project, I need to establish a solid knowledge foundation. I often hear colleagues talk about doing a "bibliometric analysis" to start, but I want to be clear on its primary, overarching purpose beyond just mapping literature. What are we fundamentally trying to achieve with this methodological approach?

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By Suma Answered 1 year ago

From my experience conducting and reviewing these studies, the primary objective is to move beyond a subjective reading of literature to a quantitative, structural diagnosis of a field. You're trying to map the intellectual skeleton: identifying the foundational papers, the key scholars and collaborations, the emerging trends, and even the hidden gaps. I recommend it not as an end in itself, but as a strategic tool. It gives you, the researcher, a data-driven landscape to precisely position your own work within the broader scholarly conversation and identify where meaningful contributions can be made.

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