Abstract
This paper discusses the Social Network Analysis (SNA) as a method
to be broadly applied in Information Science (IS) research. Information
science is normally considered as an interdisciplinary field. In
this regard, research lines that comprise the research work in graduate
programs in Brazil are influenced by different fields of knowledge.
The co-authorship analysis of professors networks in the graduate
program in information science at the University of Minas Gerais
(PPGCI/UFMG) carried out by using SNA had a twofold output. The first
one was to present the method itself. The second, to obtain empirical
results that can be used to implement the discussion about the discipline.
Collaborative networks between professors from different research
lines is related to the integration of interdisciplinary characteristics
found in the disciplines themselves. The article briefly presents
the interdisciplinary nature of IS and gives an overview of the theoretical
basis of SNA. Moreover, it presents studies about subject-matters
related to IS, particularly the co-authorship network analysis. Finally,
the methodological approach of this research and the main results
are presented. In conclusion, the authors stress the benefits brought
about by the use of SNA as a methodological tool. It can actually
be fruitfully explored to support researches in both co-authorship
networks and debates about Information Science and its interdisciplinary
nature
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