researchrelatedness
Researchrelatedness refers to the degree to which research topics, questions, or fields share conceptual foundations, methods, data, or empirical concerns. It captures how closely different lines of inquiry are linked, via common theories, shared datasets, overlapping vocabulary, or joint publication activity. The concept is used in science mapping, interdisciplinarity assessment, and strategic planning to understand how knowledge areas relate and potentially reinforce each other.
Researchers operationalize researchrelatedness through bibliometric and semantic methods. Techniques include co-citation and bibliographic coupling to reveal
Applications of researchrelatedness include evaluating research portfolios, identifying opportunities for collaboration, guiding funding decisions, and tracking
Challenges and interpretation require caution: high relatedness does not imply productive interaction or impact, and measurement
Related concepts include interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity, proximity in science maps, and the science of science. Related metrics