Detecting research fronts in OLED field using bibliographic coupling with sliding window

• Published in: Scientometrics Vol. 98; no. 3; pp. 1721 - 1744
• Main Authors: Huang, Mu-Hsuan, Chang, Chia-Pin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.03.2014; Springer
• Subjects: Bibliographic coupling; Bibliometrics. Scientometrics; Bibliometrics. Scientometrics. Evaluation; Computer Science; Exact sciences and technology; Information and communication sciences; Information science. Documentation; Information Storage and Retrieval; Library and information science. General aspects; Library Science; Lighting; Sciences and techniques of general use; Time factors; Trends; Bibliographic coupling; OLED; Citation windows; Research fronts; Sliding window; Research field; Growth; Scientific research; Citation
• ISSN: 0138-9130; 1588-2861
• DOI: 10.1007/s11192-013-1126-1

Research fronts represent cutting edge studies in specific fields. One can better understand current and future development trends in the relevant field when updated with trends in research fronts. This study uses bibliographic coupling and sliding window to explore the organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) research fronts from 2000 to 2009, and identifies eighteen research fronts that match those predicted by subject experts related to OLED materials. Closer observation of the evolution shows that among the eighteen research fronts, there are four emerging fronts, two growing fronts, eleven stable fronts, and one shrinking front. Bibliographic coupling with sliding window is an effective tool to track the generation, growth, decline, and disappearance of research fronts. Therefore, this analytical method has great potential in discovering the evolution of research fronts.