BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS: LITERATURE REVIEW AND PROPOSAL OF A METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK IN 12 STEPS

Abstract

Bibliometric analysis is a methodology for retrospective, quantitative, statistical, and descriptive study of the scientific literature, which allows the identification of the most prolific and influential elements in a given field, the interconnections between authors and the literature itself, in addition to identifying emerging research themes. The present study is divided into two parts. First, a narrative review of the literature was presented on the foundations, main techniques and challenges that permeate the conduction of a bibliometric analysis, with the objective of elucidating the theme, serving as a starting point for research of this nature. To illustrate the examples, a bibliometric analysis was simulated with the theme Ionizing Radiation Dose Reduction and Protocol Optimization in Computed Tomography (CT), on an experimental basis, using the bibliometrix package  in  the RStudio software. Then, a  methodological framework with 12 steps was proposed, which have been used empirically in the conduction of bibliometric analyses by the present authors. The addition of the simulation concept and a feedback loop  allowed us to refine the methodology and obtain more reliable results. This study contributes to the literature by proposing a practice-oriented methodological empirical roadmap, which promotes transparency, reproducibility and methodological rigor in bibliometric analyses, promoting open and collaborative science.