Introduction

Background

The landscape of academic publishing is experiencing a significant transformation, marked by a steady increase in the number of research papers being published. This trend is expected to continue, heightening the challenges and responsibilities of editorial boards in charge of scholarly journals [1,2]. The rise of interdisciplinary research introduces additional complexity, requiring a more sophisticated and informed approach to submission management [3]. Editorial teams are responsible for ensuring that each manuscript submitted aligns with the journal’s aims and scope and for identifying the most appropriate reviewers to evaluate the paper’s contribution to the field. The ability of an editorial board to adeptly handle the nuances of the journal’s research areas is essential for promoting growth and increasing the scholarly impact of the publication.

In an era marked by the proliferation of interdisciplinary research, authors often grapple with the challenge of finding a suitable venue for their work, especially when their research does not neatly fit within established disciplinary boundaries. This difficulty is often exacerbated by a tendency to submit to journals within familiar fields [4–6]. A clearly articulated and detailed description of a journal’s aims and scope can serve as a beacon, guiding researchers to submit their work to the most relevant and appropriate publication venues, thereby ensuring that innovative and cross-disciplinary research reaches a fitting audience.

Network analysis is a quantitative research methodology that has been widely adopted across various academic disciplines. It serves as a powerful tool for revealing the intricate network of relationships among academic topics [7–9]. This study utilizes network analysis to uncover patterns and trends that might be missed by traditional methodologies, thereby offering a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of the journal’s thematic landscape [10,11].

Objectives

This study conducted a comparative analysis of two journals in the field of applied life sciences, specifically those associated with the Korean Society of Applied Biological Chemistry. These journals, which specialize in biochemistry, molecular biology, and environmental science, share the goal of promoting the exchange of information and data among researchers across various disciplines [12,13]. Network analysis was conducted to uncover distinctive patterns in research topics and methodological approaches between the journals, highlighting the unique contributions and areas of focus for each [14,15]. By examining these differences, we hope to contribute to the broader conversation about academic publishing, interdisciplinary research, and the strategic development of scholarly journals.

Methods

Ethics statement

This study did not involve human subjects; therefore, Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent were not required.

Study design and setting

This was a bibliometric study based on the publications of two applied biological chemistry journals: one is published by Springer Nature but affiliated with the Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry, while the other is published by the Society.

Data source

A total of 1,865 articles were published in Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem, hereinafter referred to as ABC) and 1,081 articles in Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry (J Appl Biol Chem, hereinafter referred to as JABC) from January 2002 to September 2023. These articles, listed in the Korea Citation Index (KCI), Scopus, and the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), were collected for analysis.

The analysis concentrated on the keywords from all articles published in ABC and JABC, as well as the table of contents (TOC) sections pertaining to research methodologies within these articles. The TOC for methodologies, which is usually found under headings such as “Materials and Methods” or “Methods,” was systematically compiled. The identification of these headings took into account supplementary details found in the article’s labels and main text [16].

English keywords were extracted from all but one article, which did not include any keywords, from the 1,865 articles published in ABC. From the remaining 1,864 articles, the TOC was obtained from 1,281 articles after setting aside 177 nonresearch articles and 406 articles whose methodologies were described in Korean. Likewise, for the 1,081 articles published in JABC, keywords were collected from every article. The TOC was extracted from 473 articles, once 144 nonresearch articles and 464 articles with methodologies in Korean were excluded.

Analytical methods

The English keywords from ABC and JABC were analyzed using language network methods to identify major research areas and topic trends. Similarly, the methodology sections in the TOC of research articles from both journals were compared to discern patterns in research methods. Data analysis was conducted using R ver. 4.2.2 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing), with packages such as tm [17,18], KoNLP [19], readr [20], dplyr [21], tidygraph [22], tidytext [23], tidyr [24], widyr [25], stringr [26], textclean [27], and ggraph2 [28].

The language network analysis involved several steps: preprocessing, constructing language networks, analyzing network centrality, and performing cluster analysis. In the preprocessing phase, typos were corrected with the aid of a dictionary of stopwords from the KoNLP package and the PubChem Glossary provided by the US National Institutes of Health [29,30]. Synonyms pertaining to chemicals and bioassays were consolidated using the PubChem Glossary. For specific meanings, we referred to A Dictionary of Chemistry (8th ed) [31] and A Dictionary of Biology (8th ed) [32], both published by Oxford University Press. Language networks were visualized using the ggraph package [28] and tidygraph package [22], which involved filtering the terms with the highest frequency and clustering similar terms.

The trends in article keywords and research methodology TOC adhered to Zipf’s law[33, 34], with the most frequent terms comprising over 80% of the bibliometrics analyzed. Over time, the bibliometrics concerning article keywords and research methodology TOC developed into scale-free networks as a result of preferential attachment. The terms with the highest frequency, which are situated at the core of these networks, have shorter paths to other terms and are extensively utilized across numerous articles, thereby facilitating the linkage to new research [35].

Results

Trends in article keywords

Bibliometrics and cluster analysis were utilized to apply Zipf’s law in both journals, identifying the most frequent keywords. In ABC, 516 keywords with a frequency of six or more were visualized. In contrast, for JABC, the analysis visualized 338 keywords with a frequency of five or more. Despite keywords with a frequency of six or more representing only 9.15% of the total 5,636 keywords and those with a frequency of five or more constituting 9.19% of the total 3,674 keywords, they accounted for over 80% of the entire network. In ABC, keywords with a frequency of one totaled 3,282, and those with a frequency of two reached 949, together comprising 75.07% of the overall keyword count. In JABC, keywords with a frequency of one numbered 2,233, and those with a frequency of two numbered 657, making up 78.66% of the total.

The primary themes of the two journals, as revealed through bibliometric analysis, include “biochemical activities and antioxidant compounds,” “extraction methods,” “ginseng studies (panax and ginsenoside),” “cancer research and apoptosis,” and “fermentation processes.” Although the subtopics seem independent in ABC, they display a coherent hierarchy centered around the main keywords in JABC (Fig. 1) [36].

The network map for ABC reveals specific research domains, such as “extraction and optimization techniques” (cluster 2), “genetic analysis and detection techniques” (cluster 3), “high-fat diets” (cluster 6), “protein binding interactions” (cluster 8), and “diabetic complications associated with aldose reductase” (cluster 9) (Fig. 1A and Table 1).

The network map for JABC displays specific research domains, such as “enzymatic studies in anti-inflammation and immune response” (cluster 2), “Pseudomonas tolaasii and P. tolaasin peptide research” (cluster 5), and “high-performance liquid chromatography and quantification” (cluster 6) (Fig. 1B and Table 2). Notably, the keyword “water” in conjunction with “extract” within the JABC publications pertains not solely to solvents employed in extraction techniques, but also encompasses agricultural water.

The bibliometric and cluster analyses together illustrate the journal’s comprehensive approach to applied biological chemistry, which spans a range of scientific disciplines and methodologies. While there are differences in the specific topics covered by the two journals, the primary subjects they address are not sharply defined.

Trends in the methodology TOC

Keywords from the TOC of all ABC articles with a frequency of 15 or more were visualized, resulting in a total of 209 keywords. In contrast, for JABC articles with a frequency of six or more, 219 keywords were visualized. Methodology TOC keywords appearing 15 times or more accounted for 4.60% of the total 4,543 keywords, while those appearing five times or more represented 11.25% of the total 1,945 keywords. However, these keywords constituted over 80% of the entire network. In ABC, the methodology TOC keywords with a frequency of one numbered 2,202, and those with a frequency of two reached 795, together comprising 65.96% of the total. Conversely, in JABC, the methodology TOC keywords with a frequency of one numbered 1,202, and those with a frequency of two numbered 304, making up 77.42% of the total.

Applied biological chemistry encompasses a diverse range of biochemical methodologies [37]. It covers a broad spectrum of techniques in biochemistry and cellular biology, which are subdivided into six key areas: extraction and purification, analytical techniques, molecular biology, biological assays, phytochemistry and microbiology, as well as cellular processes and analysis (Fig. 2).

The network map of the methodology TOC for ABC, as elucidated by bibliometric analysis, includes secondary methodologies that are closely associated with the primary ones. It highlights a focus on animal studies and the analysis of physiological fluids, indicating that research methodologies often involve the examination of blood, histological samples, and oral tissues (Fig. 2A and Table 3).

Meanwhile, the network map of the methodology TOC for JABC, as revealed through bibliometric analysis, includes several independent minor methodologies. It highlights research focused on human platelet function and responses, suggesting an emphasis on studies related to blood disorders, coagulation mechanisms, and the effects of various compounds on platelets (Fig. 2B and Table 4).

These bibliometric and cluster analyses demonstrate the journals’ multifaceted approach to applied biological chemistry, which includes a range of techniques for investigating plant-based compounds, molecular biology, and cellular processes. Although the two journals employ different specific methodologies, there is no significant variation in the methods used to investigate the topics within each journal.

Discussion

Key results

This narrative constructed based on this study’s empirical findings emphasizes the distinct yet intersecting areas of focus and methodological approaches in the journals ABC and JABC, thereby underscoring their significant roles in advancing the field of applied biochemistry and its associated scientific domains. Both journals serve as pivotal platforms for disseminating research that bridges foundational sciences with practical applications, although they each maintain their distinct emphases that cater to specific facets of the broad field.

Interpretation

ABC is particularly recognized for its comprehensive examination of extraction processes, with a special emphasis on the technical aspects of isolating bioactive compounds. This is essential for advancing the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and functional food industries. The journal’s focus on improving extraction efficiency and optimization not only enhances these processes but also supports its broader goal of promoting practical applications in the chemical and biological sciences. In contrast, JABC is known for its focus on fermentation processes, particularly those involving native Korean species. This emphasis underscores the journal’s commitment to investigating biological processes that have cultural and regional importance. JABC’s dedication to the study of microbiological and biochemical foundations of both traditional and novel fermentation techniques contributes to the fields of food science and microbiology, fostering both preservation and innovation.

The articles published in both journals employ a diverse range of methodological approaches, including but not limited to biochemical, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry techniques. ABC’s methodological scope encompasses animal models and physiological studies, thus enhancing the biomedical dimension of applied biochemistry research. The inclusion of these medical research methodologies highlights ABC’s commitment to connecting basic biochemical research with its medical applications. JABC, while also utilizing a broad spectrum of methodologies, distinctively includes studies that involve human serum, reflecting a pronounced interest in the effects of biochemical processes on human health. Although not explicitly stated in its “aims and scope,” this emphasis suggests a sophisticated approach to exploring biochemistry within the framework of human physiology and health outcomes.

Together, ABC and JABC contribute significantly to the advancement of applied biochemistry and related disciplines by fostering a multidisciplinary approach to research. Their distinct yet complementary focuses enrich the scientific literature, and the findings of this study offer valuable insights into the intricate relationships between chemical, biological, and applied sciences.

Upon close examination, the overarching themes and methodologies of the journals ABC and JABC present a unified front, almost as though they were a single publication. Both journals have clearly outlined their research areas and methodologies within their “aims and scopes,” establishing a clear framework for both contributors and readers. However, as interdisciplinary research becomes more prevalent, there is an increasing need for a more nuanced and detailed understanding of specific research areas. This need underscores the importance of employing bibliometric analyses. Furthermore, bibliometric insights can guide the journals’ editorial strategies, allowing them to refine their aims and scopes with greater precision. This could, in turn, help attract submissions that are more closely aligned with emerging trends and areas of interest, thereby increasing the journals’ impact and relevance in the swiftly changing research landscape.

Limitations

In this study, the primary limitations stem from the scope and methodology of the research. The investigation’s concentration on just two specific journals could restrict the generalizability of the findings to the wider domain of academic publishing in the applied sciences. By excluding non-English methodologies and depending on articles indexed in certain databases, there is a risk of introducing language and regional biases. This could overlook substantial research outputs that do not meet these criteria. Furthermore, the methodology, which relies on keywords and research articles, may not capture the full range of themes and methods, particularly in interdisciplinary studies or research published in other languages.

Furthermore, by omitting nonresearch articles, the study potentially overlooks a broad range of thematic interests and methodological discussions that could enhance our understanding of academic discourse in applied biological chemistry. Lastly, the temporal scope of the analysis may not capture the most recent trends or emerging themes, thus limiting the study’s ability to comprehensively reflect current and future directions in the field. These considerations suggest that while the study offers valuable insights, its capacity to depict the complete landscape of academic publishing in the applied sciences is inherently limited.

Conclusions

This study, which analyzed articles published from January 2002 to September 2023, examined the themes and methodologies of two journals in the field of applied biochemistry in Korea. The bibliometric analysis yielded results that showed only slight differences in the specific topics and methodologies featured in the two journals. These results have several significant implications for the journals and their contributors.

Bibliometrics as a tool for exploring complexity

Bibliometric analysis has proven to be an invaluable tool for effectively navigating the complexity of a journal’s research domain. By utilizing network analysis, editorial boards can significantly reduce the effort required to manage and evaluate submitted papers. This method allows them to identify core research themes, methodological trends, and emerging areas within their scope, thereby facilitating a more streamlined and focused editorial process.

Network analysis for authors

Authors aiming to publish interdisciplinary research can benefit from network analysis, as it offers a clear and detailed understanding of a journal’s aims and scopes. This understanding aids authors in choosing the most relevant and appropriate journal for their work, ensuring that their research findings are disseminated to the most suitable audience. By aligning their submissions with the detailed insights from bibliometric analyses, authors can increase the chances of acceptance and subsequent impact within the targeted research community.

Notes

Conflict of Interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Funding

This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (No. 2020R1F1A1074678).

Data Availability

Dataset files are available from the Harvard Dataverse at: https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/6XN47G.

Dataset 1. A total of 1,865 articles published in Applied Biological Chemistry January 2002 to September 2023.

Dataset 2. A total of 1,081 articles published in Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry January 2002 to September 2023.

Fig. 1.

Keyword co-occurrence network from articles in (A) Applied Biological Chemistry and (B) Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry. HPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography; miR, microRNA; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; ROS, reactive oxygen species.

Fig. 2.

Table of contents keyword co-occurrence network from articles in (A) Applied Biological Chemistry and (B) Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry. ABTS, 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid); DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; GC, gas chromatography; HPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography; MS, mass spectrometry; MTT, (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide); PCR, polymerase chain reaction; qRT, quantitative reverse transcription; ROS, reactive oxygen species; RT, reverse transcription.

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References

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