Topics and Trends of Research on ‘Trust in Science’: A Bibliometric Approach
摘要
In this paper, we delineate and analyze the scientific production surrounding Trust in Science, an emerging research paradigm. Specifically, our focus is directed towards the principal themes and research trends within this domain. The objectives are twofold: (1) to approach the bibliometric characteristics of the research and (2) to elucidate the primary subjects of inquiry and their current relevance. To achieve this, we have employed bibliometric techniques such as keyword co-occurrence analysis and the application of structural indicators inherent to social network analysis. The findings reveal an exponential growth in the number of publications on trust in science, a discernible geographical bias favoring Western academia, and the multidisciplinary nature of this research trajectory. Noteworthy themes include the study of scientific communication, sociotechnical controversies surrounding COVID-19 and vaccines, scientific research integrity, climate change, and the challenges posed by misinformation and infodemics. Finally, we engage in a discussion on the significance of these themes, presenting potential future scenarios for research. Particularly, we hypothesize the potential ascent of studies on scientific research integrity in response to the emergence and advancement of generative artificial intelligences.