Using Network Embedding to Obtain a Richer and More Stable Network Layout for a Large Scale Bibliometric Network

Abstract Purpose The goal of this study is to explore whether deep learning based embedded models can provide a better visualization solution for large citation networks. Design/methodology/approach Our team compared the visualization approach borrowed from the deep learning community with the well-known bibliometric network visualization for large scale data. 47,294 highly cited papers were visualized by using three network embedding models plus the t-SNE dimensionality reduction technique. Besides, three base maps were created with the same dataset for evaluation purposes. All base maps used the classic OpenOrd method with different edge cutting strategies and parameters. Findings The network embedded maps with t-SNE preserve a very similar global structure to the full edges classic force-directed map, while the maps vary in local structure. Among them, the Node2Vec model has the best overall visualization performance, the local structure has been significantly improved and the maps’ layout has very high stability. Research limitations The computational and time costs of training are very high for network embedded models to obtain high dimensional latent vector. Only one dimensionality reduction technique was tested. Practical implications This paper demonstrates that the network embedding models are able to accurately reconstruct the large bibliometric network in the vector space. In the future, apart from network visualization, many classical vector-based machine learning algorithms can be applied to network representations for solving bibliometric analysis tasks. Originality/value This paper provides the first systematic comparison of classical science mapping visualization with network embedding based visualization on a large scale dataset. We showed deep learning based network embedding model with t-SNE can provide a richer, more stable science map. We also designed a practical evaluation method to investigate and compare maps.