There are two key questions when studying publication activity of authors, organizations and countries using scientometric methods: the first — on classification and rubrication of scientific publications relating to one or another topical areas and subject categories; the second — on the identification and selection of relevant research topics, their compliance with global and national trends, priorities and vectors of science development. System of thematic clusters (topics) used in SciVal analytical platform, the data source for which is Scopus international scientific citation database, is one of the most effective models answering both questions.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the quantitative and qualitative distribution of promising SciVal thematic clusters for the 2019—2024 period in medicine worldwide identifying maximum and minimum values of three scientometric indicators — number of publications, citation rate and relevance degree.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Information on promising topics in SciVal for the 2019—2024 period posted in open access was the data source for this work. Content analysis, statistical analysis and calculation methods were used during the study to determine minimum and maximum values of the indicators.
RESULTS
A total of 70 topics have been identified in promising topics for the 2019—2024 period, 22 of which refer to medicine including 12 associated with coronavirus pandemic or its consequences and effect on the human health and body. Citation rate values of all 22 topics exceed the worldwide average, which amounts to 1.00. The number of publications varies between 270 and 11 000. TOP-5 according to the values of three scientometric indicators (number of publications, citation rate and prominence percentile) includes 8 topics.
CONCLUSION
The study and analysis of the most recent topics in the field of medicine in the world allows researchers to stay updated with the latest and most relevant scientific research and development and considering this to plan and carry out in more detail fundamental, exploratory and applied research at the national level.