Mapping the Knowledge Structure of Science and Technology Policymaking Process Studies: A Scientometric Analysis of Trends, Influential Authors, and Thematic Structures in the Scopus

Purpose: This research aims to investigate the evolution and dynamics and analyze the trend of scientific outputs on the topic of science and technology policymaking processes from publications indexed in Scopus. The results of this study will contribute to increasing fundamental knowledge about the science and technology policymaking process and provide a systematic overview of its development over time. This research addresses the need for effective knowledge management in the science and technology policymaking process to achieve sustainable and competent governance.
Methodology: The current research is a descriptive study with an applied approach, conducted using research methods and bibliometric analysis tools. The research population includes 1393 documents from the first indexed document until September 9, 2024, which were indexed in the Scopus database on the topic of science and technology policymaking processes in various years. Using R-based software tools, including Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny, and VOSviewer software, this research examines research growth rates, publication trends, active and influential authors, collaboration and co-authorship networks, thematic trends, and thematic clusters. This study follows a five-stage workflow including research question formulation, data extraction, analysis, visualization, and interpretation to provide insights into the evolution and structure of this research area.
Findings: The first scientific productions were indexed in the Scopus database in 1964. Based on the results of data analysis, despite the gradual increase in the growth of scientific production publications until 2010 and rapid growth until 2021, the significant decrease in the trend of scientific output publications in recent years requires identifying effective factors and formulating appropriate strategies to promote and re-stabilize scientific production. Also, based on the research findings, the most indexed document type in the Scopus database was scientific research articles with 912 documents, and the journal Policy Science was identified as having the highest number of publications. The research findings showed that MACINTOSH ANN, VISVIZI ANNA, and TURNPENNY JOHN were influential authors with the highest number of citations and high-quality article production. Also, the United States and the United Kingdom had the highest number of articles and the highest level of international collaborations. The analysis of thematic clusters shows the focus of scientific research in the Scopus database on policy (in general), policy-making process, e-participation, and climate policies. Based on the results of keyword clustering and the strategic diagram, the structure of science and knowledge of the science and technology policy-making process was mapped. Based on the strategic diagram, in the thematic structure of the knowledge of the science and technology policy-making process, there is currently no driving and core theme that has been strongly developed and has strong connections with other research thematic areas. Also, "climate policy" was identified as a developed theme, but it has little connection with other themes, and "e-participation" is a developing research area.
Conclusion: The study of science and technology policy is of great importance due to its significant impact on national development and global competitiveness, and it is vital for strengthening innovation. The increasing complexity and rapid transformation of science and technology necessitate robust policy frameworks that can adapt to emerging trends and challenges. Policymakers rely on scientific and technical knowledge to address societal challenges, improve policies, and promote sustainable development. By using evidence-based approaches and scientometric indicators, researchers and policymakers can gain a deeper understanding of the trends and knowledge structures in this field. This, in turn, can lead to more effective and informed policy decisions. The research results show that despite emerging research trends and the identification of research gaps, there are still new areas for expanding knowledge in the field of science and technology policy processes, including keywords such as knowledge and knowledge management, which were not reported in the scientific outputs of this study due to their low frequency and co-occurrence. This study, by emphasizing the need for more focused research in this area, highlights opportunities for collaboration for researchers and academics to understand future trends. Consequently, to stimulate research diversity, the development of targeted funding initiatives focusing on emerging areas such as e-participation and knowledge management is recommended. Also, since the population of this research was data from the Scopus database, it is suggested that a broader research path, including other databases such as Web of Science and Google Scholar, should also be analyzed and reviewed to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of global research trends.