The Analysis of Stomach Cancer Fields through Hierarchical Clustering Method

Scientometric studies are one of the efficient methods of academic evaluation in authentic databases. Hierarchical clustering is also a useful instrument in providing an overview of a domain's research and understanding of its knowledge structure. Therefore, this study endeavored to explore the intellectual structure of gastric cancer domain studies.

This was carried out using co-word analysis and hierarchical clustering of scientometric methods with an analytical approach. Keywords of articles all indexed in Web of Science database in field of stomach cancer from 1979 to 2019, the study community was available. The population included 58,709 records indexed on the Web of Science database from 1979 to 2019 and included 207,625 keyword extractions. Data were analyzed through strategic and dendrogram chart.

Findings related to hierarchical clustering by ward method led to the formation of four clusters in this domain: Cell signsling in cancer, Oncogenes and cancer, roll of cell cycle and check points in cancer, Reasons and diagnosis cluster 2 (Oncogenes and cancer) has the highest concentration and cluster 1 (Cell signsling in cancer) has the lowest concentration among other clusters. Besides, cluster 1 (Cell signsling in cancer) has the highest density and cluster 2 (Oncogenes and cancer) has the lowest density among other clusters.

Hierarchical clustering has the potential of providing a clear image of the academic structure of gastric cancer domain studies. The results of the analysis of articles in the field of gastric cancer that led to the identification of underdeveloped areas can be an academic basis for future researchers.