Mapping Thematic Clusters with the IEEE Controlled Vocabulary: A Bibliometric Analysis of Energy Systems Technology

Knowledge transfer between different fields, particularly through thematic analysis, is essential for identifying new research topics. Identifying gaps in research is crucial, as it highlights the importance and relevance of initiating new scientific research. It is advisable to use a controlled subject vocabulary to describe research topics, especially when the frequency of terms needs to be extracted from titles and abstracts. The aim of the study was to analyze the use of the expanded IEEE controlled vocabulary in forming thematic clusters by VOSviewer, using bibliometric data from the IEEE Xplore database related to energy systems technologies. It included a comparison of results obtained based on different sets of IEEE terms and author keywords. This analysis aimed to identify potential issues associated with using a controlled vocabulary to identify research gaps, as well as to explore the potential of this methodology beyond the IEEE subject area. An important aspect of the study was understanding the optimal use of terms derived from the controlled vocabulary. The study suggests that the most comprehensive dictionary of terms may not be the most effective tool for identifying relevant topics. This indicates that the use of exclusively technical methods for selecting terms in research dictionaries should be avoided. Although creating a dictionary can greatly assist experts in analyzing their areas of expertise, it is essential that the dictionary undergoes thorough expert evaluation to ensure its relevance and effectiveness for a specific analytical task. Furthermore, the concept of a self-sufficient analytical method is somewhat of a fallacy; while analytics can assist in making informed decisions, it does not replace the need for expert knowledge in the analytical process. This work is preliminary in nature and involves conducting a follow-up analysis of opportunities for transferring knowledge from the IEEE field to the oil and gas sector. The goal will be to identify existing gaps in oil and gas research that can be filled with knowledge from the IEEE field.