What Happens to Our Ideas?

Abstract

Scholars spend a considerable amount of time reflecting upon their professional work. When individuals decide to communicate their professional thoughts beyond informal venues, the penultimate expression of their reflection is the peer reviewed journal article. The study reported here entailed a bibliometric analysis of articles appearing in the journal Social Work in Health Care during the 1990s, in order to better understand what happens to our ideas after they appear in a peer reviewed journal article.

Co-Word Analysis of First-Authored Publications Written by Top Cited Scholars of Social Work

“…Previous bibliometric analysis has a long-lasting interest in the impacts of journals and programs, and the productivity of scholars and faculties (Jayaratne, 1979;Rosen, 1979;Rosenberg et al, 2005). It serves as an important information source for those making academic decisions (e.g., for which graduate program to apply) (Baker, 1989;Holosko, 2021;Holosko et al, 2017;Smith et al, 2018;Thyer & Bentley, 1986;Thyer et al, 2019).…”

“…It serves as an important information source for those making academic decisions (e.g., for which graduate program to apply) (Baker, 1989;Holosko, 2021;Holosko et al, 2017;Smith et al, 2018;Thyer & Bentley, 1986;Thyer et al, 2019). A few studies have analyzed selected literature from the core social work journals (Holden et al, 2009;Rosenberg et al, 2005), but the present study is among the first to focus on the conceptual structures and scientific evolution hidden in the publications. The most recent counterpart to our study was conducted by Martínez et al (2014) the fine-defined culture of research is widely acknowledged (Barner et al, 2015;Holosko & Barner, 2016;Thyer & Polk, 1997) and social work scholars have made efforts to enhance the evidence base for traditional practice.…”