Intellectual structure of knowledge in Nanomedicine field (2009 to 2018): A Co-Word ‎Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The Co-word analysis has the ability to identify the intellectual structure of knowledge ‎in a research domain and reveal its subsurface research aspects.‎<br /> Objective: This study examines the intellectual structure of knowledge in the field of nanomedicine ‎during the period of 2009 to 2018 by using Co-word analysis.‎<br /> Materials and Methods: This paper develops a scientometric approach about nanomedicine over a data ‎set of 2,798 documents published over a period of 10 years (2009–2018) on PubMed databases. The ‎data was analyzed using co-word, clustering methods and strategic diagram assisted by SPSS, Ucinet, ‎and VOS viewer software.‎<br /> Result: The top journal that published papers on the field was Nanomedicine (London, England). The ‎results showed that the keyword "nanoparticles" and two pairs of frequently-used keywords namely ‎‏"‏Drug delivery systems ‎‏*‏‎ Nanoparticles‏"‏‎ were the most frequent in the field of nanomedicine. ‎Application of hierarchical clustering led to the formation of 9 clusters. The cluster "Drug Delivery ‎System (emphasis on cancer)" is the core cluster and plays an effective role. The other clusters like ‎‎"Nano diagnostic", "Drug design" and "Renovated Medicine" are in marginal.‎<br /> Conclusion: This study represented that Co-Word analysis can well illustrate the intellectual structure ‎of an area. The frequency of keywords as well as formed clusters demonstrate that the majority of ‎research approaches include Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology. Despite the importance of other aspects ‎as well as Nanosafety/ nanotoxicology and new medical products and equipment such as nanorobots ‎have not been considered.‎<br /> ‎