The mapping overlay technique described in the scientific literature to analyze scientific domains must be complemented with procedures to identify and analyze the research fronts included in the cognitive structure of the represented domain. One possibility is the use of wordcloud maps to visually represent the cognitive structure of a discipline in any thematic domain, taking advantage of its capacity for abstraction and impact on the audience to stimulate new research processes. The case described in this chapter proposes an analysis of an emerging scientific discipline by using this combination of techniques (superposition and wordcloud) to explore its possibilities and limitations.
Part of the book: Scientometrics