Identifying knowledge evolution in computer science from the perspective of academic genealogy

Zhongmeng Fu, Yuan Cao and Yong Zhao

Journal of Informetrics, 2024, vol. 18, issue 2

Abstract: Academic genealogy (AG) provides valuable insights into the transmission of knowledge from mentors to mentees, revealing the evolution of knowledge within the academic community. This study explores the intricate dynamics of knowledge evolution within academic genealogies, utilizing on a dataset comprising 16,852 computer science researchers, 613,277 papers, and 11,988 mentorship relationships. By focusing on small-scale knowledge units, our analysis aims to uncover patterns of knowledge inheritance and mutation across different subfields of computer science and highlights several aspects of knowledge evolution in computer science. Firstly, computer science is characterized by strong mentorship ties, indicating the significance of knowledge transmission within the field. Additionally, there is a mix of foundational and developing areas, suggesting a field that is growing and diversifying rather than declining, as indicated by linear regression outcomes. Secondly, our research reveals a surge in collaborative knowledge exchange in computer science since 2000, with fields such as Computer-Communication Networks and Software Engineering leading in terms of output and impact. Furthermore, areas like Computer Graphics and Artificial Intelligence stand out for their depth and novelty. Thirdly, we categorize researchers into three types: roots, branches, and leaves, reflecting their role in knowledge transmission. Branch researchers tend to innovate, while leaf researchers show a combination of traditional knowledge uptake and new contributions, illustrating the dynamic flow of ideas within the field. Future research endeavors are encouraged to embrace larger datasets and further fortify our understanding of the topic.

Keywords: Academic genealogy; Mentorship; Knowledge evolution; Computer science; Knowledge Inheritance; Knowledge mutation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:infome:v:18:y:2024:i:2:s1751157724000361

DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2024.101523

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