Research Weaving: Visualizing the Future of Research Synthesis

Shinichi Nakagawa; Gihan Samarasinghe; Neal R Haddaway; Martin J Westgate; Rose E O'Dea; Daniel W A Noble; Malgorzata Lagisz

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2018.11.007

Research Weaving: Visualizing the Future of Research Synthesis

Trends Ecol Evol. 2019 Mar;34(3):224-238. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.11.007. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Authors

Shinichi Nakagawa¹, Gihan Samarasinghe², Neal R Haddaway³, Martin J Westgate⁴, Rose E O'Dea⁵, Daniel W A Noble⁶, Malgorzata Lagisz⁷

Affiliations

¹ Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia. Electronic address: s.nakagawa@unsw.edu.au.
² Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
³ Stockholm Environment Institute, Box 24218, 104 51 Stockholm, Sweden; Africa Centre for Evidence, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.
⁴ Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia.
⁵ Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; These authors contributed equally.
⁶ Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia; These authors contributed equally. Electronic address: daniel.wa.noble@gmail.com.
⁷ Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; These authors contributed equally.

PMID: 30580972
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.11.007

Abstract

We propose a new framework for research synthesis of both evidence and influence, named research weaving. It summarizes and visualizes information content, history, and networks among a collection of documents on any given topic. Research weaving achieves this feat by combining the power of two methods: systematic mapping and bibliometrics. Systematic mapping provides a snapshot of the current state of knowledge, identifying areas needing more research attention and those ready for full synthesis. Bibliometrics enables researchers to see how pieces of evidence are connected, revealing the structure and development of a field. We explain how researchers can use some or all of these tools to gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the scientific literature.

Keywords: big data; data visualization; evidence synthesis; meta-analysis; meta-research; systematic review.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bibliometrics*
Biological Evolution*
Ecology / methods*
Meta-Analysis as Topic*
Research Design*
Review Literature as Topic*
Systematic Reviews as Topic