Knowledge Map
Knowledge Map provides powerful visual representations of your research evidence, revealing connections, clusters, and gaps that would be invisible in traditional formats.
Overview
Understanding the landscape of evidence is crucial for systematic reviews. Knowledge Map transforms your study data into interactive visualizations that reveal patterns and relationships.
| Visualization | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Citation Network | Show how studies cite each other |
| Concept Map | Visualize topic relationships |
| Evidence Matrix | Display study × outcome coverage |
| Author Network | Reveal research communities |
| Geographic Map | Show study locations worldwide |
Visualization Types
1. Citation Network
Understand the intellectual structure of your field:
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Nodes | Individual studies |
| Node Size | Citation count (larger = more cited) |
| Edges | Citation relationships |
| Clusters | Research communities/themes |
| Colors | Study characteristics or time periods |
Insights Revealed:
- Foundational/seminal papers
- Research community boundaries
- Citation patterns over time
- Isolated vs. central studies
2. Concept Map
Explore thematic relationships:
AI-Powered Extraction: Concepts are automatically extracted from titles, abstracts, and full texts, then organized into meaningful clusters.
Map Features:
- Hierarchical concept organization
- Strength of association lines
- Temporal evolution tracking
- Interactive exploration
3. Evidence Matrix
Classic visualization for evidence synthesis:
| Population | Outcome A | Outcome B | Outcome C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children | 🟢 5 studies | 🟡 2 studies | ⚪ 0 studies |
| Adults | 🟢 12 studies | 🟢 8 studies | 🟡 3 studies |
| Elderly | 🟡 3 studies | 🟡 2 studies | ⚪ 0 studies |
Legend: 🟢 Good coverage | 🟡 Limited coverage | ⚪ Evidence gap
4. Author Network
Map research collaborations:
- Nodes: Individual authors
- Edges: Co-authorship
- Clusters: Research groups/institutions
- Size: Publication count
5. Geographic Distribution
Visualize global research coverage:
- Studies plotted on world map
- Clustering by region
- Population representation
- Multi-site study connections
Interactive Features
Navigation & Exploration
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Click Node | View study details |
| Hover | See summary tooltip |
| Zoom | Focus on regions |
| Pan | Navigate large networks |
| Filter | Show/hide by criteria |
Filtering & Highlighting
Apply filters to focus your view:
- By Date Range: Show studies from specific periods
- By Study Design: Highlight RCTs, cohorts, etc.
- By Quality: Emphasize high-quality studies
- By Outcome: Focus on specific measures
- By Search: Find specific studies or concepts
Layout Options
Customize how visualizations appear:
- Force-Directed: Natural clustering layout
- Hierarchical: Tree-like structure
- Circular: Ring arrangement
- Geographic: Map-based placement
Gap Analysis
Identifying Evidence Gaps
Knowledge Map automatically highlights:
- Empty Matrix Cells: Missing population/outcome combinations
- Sparse Network Regions: Under-researched areas
- Isolated Nodes: Studies without connections
- Missing Time Periods: Gaps in temporal coverage
Gap Reports
Generate structured gap analysis:
| Gap Type | Description | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Population Gap | No studies in elderly patients | High |
| Outcome Gap | Quality of life not measured | Medium |
| Comparator Gap | No head-to-head trials | High |
| Time Gap | No studies since 2019 | Low |
Using Knowledge Map
Creating a Map
- Navigate to Knowledge Suite → Knowledge Map
- Select the visualization type
- Choose studies to include (all or filtered subset)
- Configure display options
- Generate and explore
Map Configuration
Data Selection:
- Include all extracted studies
- Filter by review phase
- Select specific characteristics
Visual Settings:
- Color scheme selection
- Node size mapping
- Edge weight thresholds
- Label display options
Saving & Sharing
- Save Configurations: Store map settings for reuse
- Export Images: High-resolution PNG/SVG for publications
- Interactive Sharing: Generate shareable links (Enterprise)
- Embed in Reports: Include in manuscripts and presentations
Use Cases
Scoping Reviews
Map the breadth of evidence:
- Identify major research themes
- Understand field structure
- Plan systematic review scope
- Justify research questions
Gap Analysis Reports
Communicate evidence needs:
- Visual evidence matrices for stakeholders
- Support funding applications
- Guide future research priorities
Manuscript Figures
Create publication-ready visualizations:
- Citation network figures
- Evidence landscape diagrams
- Geographic distribution maps
Team Understanding
Align team on evidence base:
- Shared visual reference
- Discussion facilitation
- Training new team members
Best Practices
Effective Visualizations
- Start Simple: Begin with basic views before adding complexity
- Use Filters: Focus on relevant subsets for clarity
- Iterate: Refine views as understanding develops
- Document: Save important configurations
Interpretation
Caution: Visualizations reveal patterns, but always verify findings with underlying data. Apparent clusters may reflect search strategies rather than true knowledge structure.
- Validate patterns with data review
- Consider alternative explanations
- Document interpretation rationale
- Discuss with team members