Historical Roots of Health Information Seeking Behavior Field: Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy (RPYS)

The main purpose of the current research was to investigate the historical roots of health information seeking behavior filed using the new approach of reference publication year’s spectroscopy in the Scopus database from the beginning to the end of year 2021. The current research was conducted using citation analysis and the spectroscopic approach of publication year of sources (RPYS). The sampling method in the present study was census and 1414 documents were extracted from Scopus database in health information seeking behavior area. Data analysis was done using CRExplorer software program 7 book titles and 21 articles were the most co-cited, which shows the influence of articles in the formation of the historical roots of health information seeking behavior filed. This area was influenced by books in the fields of communication and psychology. But little by little, signs of works related to library and information science, health literacy, and research methodology were also observed in co-cited references. It can be predicted that the field of health information seeking behavior will take more influence from the field of health and its related theories in the coming years with the increase of publications, thus establishing its position as an emerging field and Regardless of the field of information-seeking behavior, it will gain more than before.