Discovering the topology of design process: A network analysis of author keywords in design studies

Abstract

Background The knowledge structure of design process has expanded. Since there has been little effort to investigate the change of the structure quantitatively, we aim to explore the dynamics of the knowledge structure by using network analysis. Examining the core trend of design process, we reveal the academic paradigm shift and its evolution. Methods We collected 311 papers published in the journal Design Studies from 2009 to 2018. Using two-time windows, we investigated the semantic networks of the word stems extracted from Author Keywords in the papers. In particular, we measured the centrality of the word stems and found the top 20 thereof. This study subsequently analyzed the trend with the changed rank-order of the centrality, relying on the life cycle concept: introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. Results For the two periods, we found that the centrality rankings of the word stems extracted from the Author Keywords were changed. Our findings show that the paradigm of design process has shifted from product to human-being based on the perspective of the life cycle. Conclusions Conducting a quantitative analysis, this study contributes to previous literature where most studies have adopted a qualitative approach. Our results suggest that design process is a field co-evolving with society. In addition, understanding the change of international academic paradigm based on a prestigious journal can be beneficial to discuss the characteristics of design and its future trends because the design is based on analytic thinking especially derived from Western philosophy.