Exploring the cross-disciplinary collaboration: a scientometric analysis of social science research related to Artificial Intelligence and Big Data application

Abstract

Abstract Given the significant impacts of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the planet and people, it is important for researchers from all disciplines to pay attention to the social, economic and policy needs and challenges with its applications. With the aim to provide a systematic review of social science literatures on the topic, this article has summarized the annual trends since 1962, main research disciplines and publication outlets based on a scientometric analysis of 10,229 articles collected from the WoS database. The research findings show that disciplines/areas such as management and psychology have been constantly engaging the Big Data and AI, whereas new emerging disciplines/areas such as interdisciplinary social sciences and geography have experienced exponential growth in recent years. Both the application and critiques of Big Data and AI have been published in various new journals such as Big Data & Society, Value in Health, etc. The article therefore provides essential groundwork for understanding and contextualizing the Big Data and AI applications, so that researchers, funding bodies, policy-makers and industry professionals can enhance cross-disciplinary collaboration.