Bibliometric Analysis of Trends in Theory-related Policy Publications

Abitassha Az Zahra,Achmad Nurmandi,Samantha Herector Benectitos,Ken M. Haictin,Faye Lorraine P. Mina,Riska Rahayu,Christine B. Tenario

doi:10.28991/esj-2021-01261

Abstract

This study's bibliometric analysis evaluates the scope and trends of theory-related policy publications in various international journals. The method used the Scopus search engine on random journals in identifying policy-related publications. The study also used a data visualization software called VOSviewer to analyze the results, underlying network linkages, and information production trends in policy analysis. The findings shows that only a few proportions of policy-related researches apply theories in their study. Field-specialized journals were having practitioners publish less research as compared to interdisciplinary science and technology journals. This article calls for greater engagements among scholars, and for policy researchers to more explicitly consider how their work might contribute to the understanding of the policy challenges. The findings also shows that it is important to recognize the approach and theory behind policy development to determine the incremental nature of aspects involved in policy development. It is extremely valuable to be clear that if one deals only with conceptual level of policy research without testing those ideas against independent empirical information, then scientific theory development is not possible. Thus, failure to consistently and clearly make theory connection towards policy research is a lost opportunity for scholars to influence policy thinking and public argument. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-01261 Full Text: PDF

Highlights

According to Zainab et al (2009), studies "when journals are studied bibliometrically, it builds a portrait of the journals, offering important description that is beyond superficial." This tool can denote the journal's maturity, quality, and productivity in any field, country, or region [1]
In various international journals or fields of study, there is a wide gap in research policy, which has been perceived in both policy and scientific literature
Preliminary studies consisting of 75 articles, 45 proceedings papers, 3 handbooks focused on theory-related policy in any field of studies

Summary

Introduction

According to Zainab et al (2009), studies "when journals are studied bibliometrically, it builds a portrait of the journals, offering important description that is beyond superficial." This tool can denote the journal's maturity, quality, and productivity in any field, country, or region [1]. There is a vast literature on policy research across fields of social science, in science and technology studies, sociology, social policy, political science, and public management, only a minimal variety of these contributions develop guidance and practice on 'impact' due to the inadequacy of theorizing studies [4,5,6]. In various international journals or fields of study, there is a wide gap in research policy, which has been perceived in both policy and scientific literature. The absence of theorizing policy-oriented research is the main concern of this study because it limits the various fields of studies, global understanding of diverse challenges, and policy-makers' capability to formulating strategies effectively [7,8,9]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion