From data to knowledge: Trends in scientific production on big data in information science in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: This study analyzes the scientific production on big data in Information Science in Brazil, that one may understand the structural elements of this production and how the subject is discussed in the field of IC, in addition to its relationships with other areas and sub-areas of knowledge. Methods: It assumes an exploratory approach, using the data collection as a method of papers recover indexed from the Brapci database between 1972 and 2019, in addition to content analysis and bibliometrics as an analysis technique. Results: As result, it is evident the exploratory and predominantly theoretical character of these papers, to the detriment of experimentation and field research. The publications are distributed in 25 journals, however, 67 % of this production is concentrated in nine journals. Conclusions: The scenario presented indicates a fruitful space for new research in the area and a strategic positioning for CI, but also a gap to be filled in the face of new research requirements that bring some social impact, and this is one of the new dimensions of evaluation of Postgraduate Programs in the country, recently announced by Capes.