A powerful tool for the review of the literature and the bibliometric analysis – Track2training

By Shashikant Nishant Sharma

Vosviewer (visualization of similarities viewer) is a software tool widely used for Build and visualize bibliometric networks. Developed by Nees Jan Van Eck And Ludo Waltman At the Center for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) at the University of Leiden, in the Netherlands, Vosviewer plays a crucial role in the realization of systematic and in-depth literature journals by allowing researchers to analyze large volumes of scientific data from databases like Scopus,, Science networkAnd Dimensions.

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Key characteristics of Vosviewer

1. Network visualization
   • Visualizes bibliometric networks such as:
     • Co-automation (authors, institutions, countries)
     • Co-cost (authors, sources)
     • Bibliographic coupling
     • Co-competition of keywords or terms
2. Text exploitation
   • Extract from the important terms of titles and summaries of scientific articles.
   • Useful for identifying emerging trends and models in specific research fields.
3. Interactive visual cards
   • The nodes (elements) represent units such as authors or terms.
   • Bords (links) show relationships such as quotation or coocceca.
   • The color, size and distance indicate the clusters, the resistance of the connections and the relevance.
4. Grouping
   • Groups linked to elements together using clustering algorithms.
   • Helps understand the structure and thematic areas of the research field.
5. Ease of use
   • Simple interface with support for large -scale data.
   • Export and integration options for more in -depth analysis.

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Why use Vosviewer for the literature review?

The realization of a review of the literature consists in analyzing, synthesizing and identifying gaps in existing research. Vosviewer improves this process as follows:

1 and 1 Research trends mapping

• Frequently identifies keywords and their interrelations.
• Detects emerging research subjects and how they have evolved over time.

2 Identify the authors and influential journals

• Through co-payment And Bibliographic couplingVosviewer highlights the main contributors and key sources in a field.

3 and 3 Analysis of clusters for thematic categorization

• Help classify literature into coherent themes.
• Facilitates systematic classification and thematic discussion.

4 Detect research gaps

• By visually analyzing the clusters and isolated nodes, researchers can identify under-determinated areas.

5 Effective and scalable analysis

• Quickly manages large data sets (thousands of articles).
• Reduces manual efforts to examine a vast literature.

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Steps to use Vosviewer in the literature review

1. Data collection
   • Export bibliographic data (in RIS, CSV or Bibtex format) from databases such as:
     • Scopus
     • Science network
     • Dimensions
     • Cross
     • Pubmed (indirectly by conversion)
2. PRESSTRATION OF DATA
   • Clean and filter the data to avoid duplication and non -relevant inputs.
   • Use the Thésaurus file from Vosviewer to merge similar terms (for example, “AI” and “Artificial Intelligence”).
3. Import into Vosviewer
   • Choose the appropriate type of analysis (co-automation, co-coccus competition, quotation, etc.)
   • Select elements and thresholds (for example, minimum number of occurrences)
4. Visualization and interpretation
   • Explore the clusters, the bond forces and the proximity of nodes.
   • Analyze according to the size, color coding (for example, the impact on quotation, the year of publication) and links.
5. Statement
   • Take screenshots or export visualizations.
   • Include cards in your literature review to support your story.

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Example of use cases: review of the literature on artificial intelligence in education

• Keyword co-occurrence card reveals dominant themes such as “automatic learning”, “students' commitment”, “learning analysis”.
• Author's co-rate card identifies the main researchers in the field.
• Temporal analysis (color per year) shows how the field has evolved, for example, going from adaptive learning to generative AI.

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Limits of Vosviewer

• Limited to bibliometric and textual data; Impossible to assess the quality of the article.
• Interpretation requires knowledge of the field to avoid false declarations.
• Does not support Google Scholar data due to export limitations.
• Lack of in -depth statistical tools (must be combined with R, Python or Bibliometrix for advanced analysis).

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Integration with other tools

• Can be combined with Library (R package) or Space For a bibliometric analysis or deeper quote.
• Works well next to Nvivo Or Atlas.ti For a qualitative review.

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Conclusion

Vosviewer is an essential tool for researchers who undertake Systematic, framing or narrative journals. By allowing the visualization of the intellectual structure of a research field, it transforms complex bibliographic data into understandable models. Whether it is the mapping of keyword trends, identifying the main authors or classification of research themes, Vosviewer adds scientific rigor and clarity to literature reviews.

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References

• Dehalwar, K. and Sharma, SN (2025). Fundamentals of writing research and use of research methodologies. EDUDODIA PUBLICATIONS PVT Ltd.
• Sharma, SN and Dehalwar, K. (2025). A review of the systematic literature of transit oriented development to assess its role in the economic development of the city. Transport in developing economies,, 11(2), 23.
• Sharma, SN and Dehalwar, K. (2025). Revue des il Evergreen: Highly disabled open source library management solution. Available on SSRN 4853757.
• Sharma, SN and Dehalwar, K. (2025). Evaluate the development and transit -oriented travel behavior of residents of developing countries: a case of Delhi, India. Journal of Urban Planning and Development,, 151(3), 05025018.
• Sharma, SN (2025). Understand scientific analysis: applications and implications.
• Sharma, SN (2018). Examination of the national framework for urban policy 2018. Think India Journal,, 21(3), 74-81.
• Sharma, SN, Singh, D. and Dehalwar, K. (2025). Advanced technologies of substitution analyzes safety for safer roads. Suranaree Journal of Science and Technology,, 31(4), 010320.
• Dehalwar, K. and Sharma, SN (2025). Social injustice inflicted by spatial changes in vernacular contexts: an analysis of published literature.
• Van Eck, NJ and Waltman, L. (2010). Software Survey: Vosviewer, a computer program for bibliometric cartography. Scientometry84 (2), 523–538. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11192-009-0146-3
• Official website of Vosviewer: https://www.vosviewer.com/