Abstract
Interdisciplinary knowledge exchange constitutes a network with discipline nodes and knowledge flow edges. Using data on Chinese academic literature, the current paper establishes a discipline knowledge network and analyses its structural features. Citation analysis is first used to measure the flow of knowledge between disciplines to build a discipline knowledge network. Subsequently, the features of the network, such as degree distribution, degree correlation, knowledge flow mode and other structure properties, are then analysed based on complex networks and social network theory. The tail of the degree distribution of this discipline knowledge network is in concordance with exponential distribution. The network has also a distinct hierarchical structure. Moreover, the knowledge flow between disciplines is directional. It flows from certain basic and academic disciplines to the applied disciplines.
Highlights
Modern science has been divided into different categories of tiny disciplines, and scientists have always been limited in certain areas
Interdisciplinary collaboration inevitably results in knowledge flows between researchers or between research fields, which compose the knowledge network
There are many scholarly works on interdisciplinary collaboration, attention has been drawn on the structure and dynamics of the discipline knowledge network, especially in China
Summary
Modern science has been divided into different categories of tiny disciplines, and scientists have always been limited in certain areas. W. Shan et al Features of the discipline knowledge network: evidence from China form multiple disciplines to solve complex problems. Shan et al Features of the discipline knowledge network: evidence from China form multiple disciplines to solve complex problems These cause a reverse process, and interdisciplinary cooperation is becoming more and more common in the areas of science and technology (Klein 2008). Interdisciplinary collaboration inevitably results in knowledge flows between researchers or between research fields, which compose the knowledge network. There are many scholarly works on interdisciplinary collaboration, attention has been drawn on the structure and dynamics of the discipline knowledge network, especially in China
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
