Data structuring and classification in newly‐emerging scientific fields

Abstract

The article addresses a methodological procedure based on keyword analysis and structuring of data into information systems in the field of functional foods as a newly emerging scientific field within the broader scope of food sciences and technology. Experiment was based on selection of a research field or research subject, selection of search profile, selection and processing of relevant databases, keyword analysis, and arranging of data (keywords) according to tree-structures. Keyword analysis was employed to identify narrower research fields within the broader scientific field. Structuring of data into systems was used to systematically classify the terms within the particular narrow field. Keywords with higher and lower frequency were identified. A classification tree was set up, based on keywords (thesaurus-based descriptors) extracted from FSTA database available online. The tree was supplemented and upgraded with some additional topical terms, that have not as yet been included in the existing thesaurus. To serve as a comparison a completely new classification tree was designed based on online full-text data. The comparison of the two trees suggests the previous existing tree as being sufficiently accurate to represent the field of functional foods, providing that it be upgraded with some additional terms. A more accurate classification should improve thesauri and consequently enhance retrieval in international databases.

Sustainability and Wellbeing: A Scientometric and Bibliometric Review of the Literature

“…Some of its widely used applications are the comparative evaluation of countries, universities, research institutes, and individual researchers. It may also be used for other purposes such as developing a better understanding of the structure of a scientific field or determining developments in the research area (Juvan et al ., ; Hall et al ., ; Waaijer and Palmblad, ).…”

Food Safety in China: The Structure and Substantive Foci of an Emerging Field of Social Science Research

“…Second, literature mapping techniques have been used to identify the emergence of new, and the evolution of established, themes in specific journals, including education (Erduran et al 2015), healthcare (Galer-Unti et al 2004), and medical sociology (Seale 2008). Third, and focusing specifically on keyword analysis, we found studies that identified the most frequently cited subject terms (Ribière and Walter 2013), the narrow or broad influence of key subject terms (Leite et al 2012), and the emergence of new subject areas within a discipline (Juvan et al 2005). Categorizing keywords thematically to identify the form and content of research areas is an established method (Juvan et al 2005;Seale 2008).…”

“…Third, and focusing specifically on keyword analysis, we found studies that identified the most frequently cited subject terms (Ribière and Walter 2013), the narrow or broad influence of key subject terms (Leite et al 2012), and the emergence of new subject areas within a discipline (Juvan et al 2005). Categorizing keywords thematically to identify the form and content of research areas is an established method (Juvan et al 2005;Seale 2008).…”

Assessment of indexing trends with specific and general terms for herbal medicine

“…Portaluppi argues (on an example of chronobiologic references in medline ) that there exists important variability in the consistency of descriptors, and recommends the inclusion of some more commonly used concepts. Several attempts have been made to create more focused indexing and classification systems, for example, in newly emerging scientific fields . In our case, it is difficult to retrieve, for example, the documents on antiviral activity of any medicinal plant.…”

“…Several attempts have been made to create more focused indexing and classification systems, for example, in newly emerging scientific fields. 26 In our case, it is difficult to retrieve, for example, the documents on antiviral activity of any medicinal plant. A large proportion of records will still include only the most precise term, as generally suggested by database rules.…”