Uncovering Trends and Impact : A Bibliometric Analysis of Open Access Social Science Journals in Scopus (2012-2022)

Abstract

This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of research trends and collaboration dynamics of Open Access
Social Science Journals indexed in Scopus from 2012 to 2022. It examined 627 documents from 167 sources, with
an annual growth rate of 18.52%. Collaborative research was prevalent, with 1440 contributors, including 89 solo
authors. International collaboration was found in 25.84% of documents. Bradford’s Law categorized journals into
three zones, with just four journals in Zone-I contributing 36.52% of all documents, indicating the influence of
specialized journals. Authorship varied, with Thelwall M. being the most prolific author. Lokta’s Law revealed a
skew in authorship, with most authors contributing only one article, Lotka’s inverse square law does not confirm to
the present data set. Keyword analysis highlighted themes like “bibliometrics”, “Human”, and “Citation Analysis,”
reflecting interest in research dissemination. Treemap analysis visually represented keyword distribution.
Collaboration network analysis identified 9 clusters of countries with strong collaborative ties, with the USA,
Germany, and China leading. These countries played pivotal roles in international research collaborations. In
conclusion, this research offers valuable insights into academic research, emphasizing keyword importance,
concentration in specialized journals, varying author productivity, and the central role of specific countries in
global knowledge exchange. These findings are relevant for researchers, policymakers, and institutions navigating
the evolving academic research landscape.