Table 1 Main applications of social network analysis and co-authorship networks in health research
From: Co-authorship network analysis in health research: method and potential use
Objective | Target network | Key indicators | References |
|---|---|---|---|
Assess the extent of collaboration within research programs | Co-authorship in target fields of the research programs | - Changes in network structure before and after the program | Morel et al., 2009 [9] |
- Central organizations and researchers | |||
Assess the relationship between scientific and technological development | Co-authorship in specific themes in parallel with patent co-inventorship networks | - Central authors and inventors and their relationships | Vasconcellos & Morel, 2012 [10] |
- Differences in the structural properties of both networks | |||
Map priority thematic areas | Co-authorship in priority themes of public health interest | - Changes in the network structure over time | González-Alcaide et al., 2013 [22] Zhang et al., 2013 [23] |
- Central organizations and researchers | |||
- Formation of research groups | |||
Evaluate the regional contribution to knowledge generation | Regional co-authorship in areas of interest | - Regional collaboration patterns of organizations and researchers | Naranjo-Estupiñán et al., 2014 [24] Costa et al., 2013 [25] |
- Central organizations and researchers | |||
- Frequent partners | |||
Assess inter-organizational networks | Co-authorship of science and technology organizations | - Collaboration patterns (type and frequency of cooperation) | Robinson-García et al., 2013 [26] |
Assess international collaboration | Co-authorship between countries | - Scientific collaboration between countries | Bender et al., 2015 [27] |
- Frequent partners |