An experiment in science mapping for research planning

Abstract This paper considers the recent attempt of the U.K. Advisory Board for the Research Councils to test the usefulness of various citation, co-citation and co-word bibliographic analysis techniques for evaluating the stale of various scientific disciplines, including potential areas for useful investment; and in general as an aid to research planning by science policy-makers in a period of steady (or even relatively declining) resources. Results of a study involving the examination of five important scientific fields are considered, and discussion focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of each technique.