The Role of Social Sciences in the Study of Misinformation: A Bibliometric Analysis of Web of Science and Scopus Publications (2017-2022)

Lucas Durr Missau

doi:10.51698/tripodos.2024.56.01

Authors

Lucas Durr Missau Universidad Nacional de San Martín

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51698/tripodos.2024.56.01

Abstract

This study examines the contribution of the Social Sciences to the field of disinformation research. Using network analysis and bibliometrics with the Bibliometrix tool in R, we analyze academic publications in Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). Our aim is to understand the extent of scholarly work on misinformation, disinformation, and fake news. We compare Scopus and WoS data, explore research trends, identify influential authors, examine relevant journals, assess productive institutions and countries, analyze author keywords, and provide a brief analysis of highly cited articles. The findings reveal the scholarly landscape of disinformation research within the Social Sciences. The comparison of Scopus and WoS data highlights the coverage and representation of disinformation studies. Research trends indicate the growth and acceptance of the field through publication and citation rates. Influential authors are identified based on publication output and h-index. Key journals in the field are identified, and productive institutions and countries are assessed. The analysis of author keywords reveals central themes and topics within the discipline. The analysis of highly cited articles provides insights into theoretical and methodological aspects that have received significant attention.

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Author Biography

Lucas Durr Missau, Universidad Nacional de San Martín

Lucas Durr Missau is a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Politics and Government in the National University of San Martín. He holds a PhD in Communication from the National University of La Plata (UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina. He also works as journalist and volunteer professor at the Department of Communication Sciences in the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Brazil. He is currently researching the role of disinformation in polarized political systems, especially in Argentina and Brazil, analyzing strategies used by political and media actors and assessing their effects on societal polarization and democratic discourse. ORCID: 0000000297197772.

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