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Bibliometric Analysis: A Powerful Tool for Mapping the Landscape of Entomology Research

By Ipsita Samal and Tanmaya Kumar Bhoi

 

Bibliometric studies are important for research in several ways, as they allow researchers to quantitatively assess the scientific importance and impact of a given discipline over a specific period of time (Alarcón-Elbal et al., 2023). Further, bibliometric indicators provide objective measurements of research productivity and influence and also help to identify the most influential researchers, studies, sources, countries, and institutions in a field (Yuan and Sun, 2024). This is valuable for understanding the intellectual structure and knowledge base of a research area. By mapping the landscape of a research field, bibliometric studies can reveal emerging trends, patterns of collaboration, and gaps in the literature, which informs future research directions (Izbasarova and Khalillaev, 2023). Moreover, bibliometric methods complement traditional literature reviews by providing a quantitative perspective that helps researchers identify the most important studies to review in depth. The use of bibliometric databases and tools makes it easier to collect and analyse large volumes of scientific data on any research topic, which enables scholars to delve into the retrospective of a field (de Souza et al., 2023). Well-designed bibliometric studies build a solid foundation for advancing a research field in novel ways. They provide a detailed overview, identify gaps, and position new investigations within the existing knowledge base. Thus, bibliometric analysis is a powerful scientific approach that enables researchers to objectively map the intellectual structure, productivity, and impact of a research domain. It complements qualitative literature reviews and informs future research directions.

 

Insect pests pose a significant biological limitation on global crop yield, necessitating the use of insecticides as the primary method of pest control used by agricultural practitioners. However, the utilization of insecticides can lead to negative consequences such as the development of insect resistance, recurrence of pests, and the presence of chemical residue. In the context of sustainable development, it is imperative that pest management systems adhere to ecological principles and demonstrate economic feasibility. The application of silicon (Si) has demonstrated the potential to enhance plant tolerance and mitigate the negative impact of diseases, insect pests, and non-insect pests on plants. The achievement of facilitating and increasing constitutive and induced resistance mechanisms, which are triggered by insect attack, is accomplished. The practicality and effectiveness of integrating this Si-based method with existing pest control strategies have earlier been documented. Si is considered a viable option for integrated pest management due to its capacity to mitigate the presence of pesticide residues in both food and the surrounding environment. Prior studies have established a correlation between the utilization of Si and a decrease in insect damage. The published article entitled “Establishing the Role of Silicon (Si) in Plant Resistance To Insects: A Bibliometric Approach” aims to fill the knowledge gap on the significant uses of Si research in the field of insect pest management. A comprehensive comparative bibliometric analysis was conducted to identify prominent writers, institutions, and nations that have made significant contributions to the field of Si pest control. The investigation will additionally analyze trends in publication output and citation effect. The objective of this comprehensive analysis is to investigate the existing research landscape across several disciplines and foster interdisciplinary cooperation. This study aimed to elucidate the potential of Si as a crucial component in environmentally friendly pest management strategies.

 

The use of Si in empowering resistance against insect pests has attracted the attention of researchers all over the world. However, it is essential to have an in-depth familiarity with the relevant literature. This analysis of Si's role in plant resistance is crucial in laying the groundwork for future studies in the field. This analysis does an excellent job of bringing together the relevant literature, highlighting gaps in our understanding, and suggesting directions for future research, as well as providing useful insights and methodological suggestions. The factor has a significant role in fostering new ideas and developments in the field. This review argues that the use of Si-based products is an environmentally sound and effective method of controlling pests in agricultural settings. Bibliometrics, along with many of the SDGs, has been seen to encourage the development of environmentally friendly agricultural practices that improve human well-being and boost the economy. In addition, it is critical to realise R&D goals in order to fully unfold their potential for efficient implementation. The current bibliometric study's findings highlight the urgent need to develop pest management strategies that are both environmentally responsible and economically viable. Because of this, using Si as an alternative pest management strategy can be an effective means of responding to the pressing issue of ensuring sufficient food and nourishment.


Figure 1: A) A variety of publications published since 2000 are depicted in the image in the field of silicon's role in conferring resistance against insect pests B) The total number of papers addressing various sustainable development goals C) The citation analysis of the country D) co-citation analysis authors contributed to research on “Establishing the Role of Silicon (Si) in Plant Resistance To Insects”

However, bibliometric analysis is not a prerequisite for conducting research. It is a complementary approach that provides a quantitative assessment of a research domain. Researchers can still make valuable contributions to knowledge without first conducting a bibliometric study. Thus, it is a powerful tool that can inform and strengthen the research process by identifying influential works, emerging trends, and gaps in the literature. It complements qualitative literature reviews and helps position new investigations within the broader context of a research field.


For more details, please refer:


1. Alarcón-Elbal, P. M., Suárez-Balseiro, C., Holguino-Borda, J., & Riggio-Olivares, G. (2023). Research on medical and veterinary entomology in the insular Caribbean: a bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 43(1), 149-162.


2. de Souza, T. D., Pinto, A. A., da Silva, L. F. V., Maciel, R. M. A., & Sosa‐Gomez, D. R. (2023). Bibliometric analysis of global research on fungal Metarhizium rileyi based on Web of Science. Agronomy Journal115(1), 96-107.


3. Izbasarova, Z., & Khalillaev, S. (2023). Insecta Orthoptera: a bibliometric review of papers from the Scopus database published in English for the period of 1986-2021. In BIO Web of Conferences (Vol. 65, p. 08009). EDP Sciences.


4. Samal, I., Bhoi, T. K., Mahanta, D. K., & Komal, J. (2023). Establishing the Role of Silicon (Si) in Plant Resistance To Insects: A Bibliometric Approach. Silicon, 1-10.


5. Yuan, B. Z., & Sun, J. (2024). Bibliometric Analysis of Edible Insects from Entomology Category Based on Web of Science. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, 1-12.

 

Ipsita Samal is one of the Associate Editors of Indian Entomologist. She works as a Scientist (Agril. Entomology), ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Muzaffarpur, Bihar.


Tanmaya Kumar Bhoi is presently working as Scientist, Forest Protection Division, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) - Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

 

Disclaimer: The contents, style, language, plagiarism, references, mention of any products if any, etc., are the sole responsibility of the authors.

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