Maps of Science – Making Relationships in Research more Transparent

Here is an interesting web site, Maps of Science. which offers maps of relationships in scientific research, Fortunately it does not just offer the diagrams but also provides analysis. You can look at topics, industries, geographic locations and even two cities, Boston and Paris, so far.

It says “Boston has strength in nodes (indicating a greater than expected number of publications on a topic) and edges (the lines between nodes, indicating a greater than expected number of publications that bridge two topics). The majority of strengths are in medicine. Of particular prominence is research on Alzheimers, AIDS, Cancer and the health care system. In the top of the diagram are major strengths in astrophysics.”

You can also drill down to look inside specific areas. The work is based on Thomson’s 2003 citation databases. Thanks to John Maloney for sharing this. Information Esthetics will provide a free copy for the price of shipping. Information Esthetics is a “fledgling organization dedicated to exploring those areas where information content can enhance esthetic experience and esthetic consideration can enhance information content.”