Evolution and structure of research fields driven by crises and environmental threats: the COVID-19 research

Abstract

Evolution of science and behavior of new research fields emerging under conditions of crisis are new topics hardly known in social studies of science and scientometrics. In particular, the ecosystem and dynamics of research fields during crisis are vital aspects for explaining and planning the scientific development, and allocating resources efficaciously toward positive societal impact. This study here endeavors to analyze the evolution and structure of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) research, a new research field emerged and driven by a global pandemic crisis. The dynamics and structure of this research field are compared to related fields concerning respiratory disorders that are not guided by pandemic crisis, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer, to explain similarities and differences. Results suggest that a crisis-driven research field is characterized by an unparalleled velocity of scientific production equal to about 1.2% daily, based on notes and short papers mainly open access that support scientific advances and discoveries in research arena over a short period of time, such as the development of innovative drugs given by novel vaccines and new antiviral COVID-19 treatments. Findings are generalized in properties that clarify the evolution and structure of new research fields and their research behavior in a period of crisis for guiding decisions of policymakers to support scientific and technological progress in human society in the presence of environmental threats.

Keywords: COVID-19; Crisis management; Dynamics of science; Evolution of science; Pandemic crisis; Research fields; Scientific development; Scientific discovery; Scientific ecosystem; Structure of science; Technological change; mRNA vaccine.

Fig. 1

Structure of the investigation of research fields in a period of crisis

Fig. 2

Rate of growth of publications concerning some pandemics in the initial phase of diffusion

Fig. 3

Evolution of crisis- and problem- driven research fields over time (at 6 June 2021). Note: Log scale is to have comparable trends

Fig. 4

Evolution of COVID-19 research compared to COPD and Lung Cancer (t = 420 days from April to December 2020 and from January to June 6th, 2021). COVID-19 = Coronavirus Disease 2019; COPD = Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Log scale is to have comparable trends

Fig. 5

Daily growth (%) of scientific production of research fields based on 420 days from April 2020 to June 6th 2021. COVID-19 = Coronavirus Disease 2019; COPD = Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease