K-means and Hierarchical Clustering Method to Improve our Understanding of Citation Contexts

In this paper we focus of the clustering of citation contexts in scientific papers. We use two methods, k-means and hierarchical clustering to better understand the phenomenon and types of citations and to explore the multidimensional nature of the elements composing the contexts of citations in different sections of the papers. We have analyzed a data set of seven peer-reviewed academic journals published by PLOS. The obtained clusters show that the Methods section is specific in nature, regardless of the journal. A proximity between some of the journals can be observed.