Exploring the role of digital humanities in the centralization of knowledge production: Clusters, networks, or echo chambers

Abstract

The study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of centralization in knowledge production over the past two decades, utilizing visualization of similarities (VOS) viewer software for visualizing similarities and mapping research trends. The analysis focuses on identifying publication trends, highly cited papers and journals, influential countries and authors, common themes, and methodological approaches in the field of knowledge production centralization in digital humanities. The study reveals a notable increase in publications over the years, reflecting a growing concern with how intellectual power and influence are concentrated within academic communities. Key themes identified include the formation of research clusters, the impact of echo chambers, and the centralization of research output and citations in specific regions and institutions. The study highlights the dominance of certain topics, such as social media, misinformation, and network dynamics, and emphasizes the significant role of influential authors and institutions in shaping the discourse. Geographic analysis shows substantial contributions from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy, indicating a centralization of academic influence in these regions. The methodological trend leans towards quantitative bibliometric analysis, with extensive use of citation and co-authorship networks to uncover underlying structures in the academic landscape. The findings underscore the importance of understanding centralization dynamics in fostering innovation and collaboration while also addressing the potential risks of intellectual monopolies and reduced diversity in academic perspectives. The study provides valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers aiming to promote a more balanced and inclusive academic environment.