Mapping of Indigenous Knowledge Research in India: A Review of Growth, Emerging Topics and Future Research Directions based on Scientometric Tools


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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/1731

Keywords:

Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge, Scientometric, Indian research, Research growth, Knowledge mapping

Abstract

The study of indigenous knowledge in India has evolved over the years and gained significant importance as a vital area of research. This study aimed to explore the evolution of the research landscape on indigenous knowledge in India over the last twenty years (2003-2022), focusing on growth trends and knowledge mapping through Scientometric tools. The study collected 1,980 data from the Scopus database, indexed between 2003 and 2022. Initially, the analysis focused on measuring the research growth and performance of the key players. Then, the study performed scientific knowledge mapping, visualizing the relationships between different concepts and topics within the field. The findings reveal a significant growth in indigenous knowledge research in India. The study also identified key research themes, including traditional medicine, agriculture, biodiversity conservation, etc. In the early two decades, research was conducted on natural resource management, ethnoveterinary practices, ethnomedicine, biodiversity, tribal communities, and traditional healers, etc. The most recent research topics were COVID-19, sustainability, livelihood, ethnopharmacology, climate change, herbal drugs, etc. Research on medicinal plants and ethnobotany was the most influential in the last two decades. Furthermore, the study revealed a highly interconnected network of authors and institutions, with a few key players dominating the field. The study concludes by highlighting the need for further research on indigenous knowledge in India, particularly in areas such as intellectual property rights, geographical identification, preservation, and the role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable development.

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Author Biographies

Bwsrang Basumatary, Mizoram University

 

Bwsrang Basumatary, a Ph.D. Scholar in the Department of Library and Information Science at Mizoram University, Aizawl, India. He obtained his Master of Library and Information Science from Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), Mumbai, India. His research areas include Scientometrics, Altmetrics and emerging technologies in the library. He is associated as an author and reviewer with reputed Scopus and WoS-indexed journals. He has published 14 papers in various reputed peer-reviewed journals, 4 book chapters and 8 conference papers, including 3 presentations at international conferences abroad (Malaysia, Philippines and Bangladesh).

K Robin, Mizoram University

K. Robin, a Professor and Head of the Department of History & Ethnography at Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India. With an academic career spanning over 22 years, and under his mentorship, 5 Ph.D. and 4 M.Phil scholars have successfully completed their research. Prof. Robin’s scholarly output includes more than 30 research articles published in reputed journals, along with the authorship of 2 books and the editorship of 1 book. He has completed 3 research projects funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi, India.

Arvind, Rajiv Gandhi University

Arvind, an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India. His research areas include Modern History and Indian National Movement. He has published over 30+ research papers in peer-reviewed and reputed national and international journals.

 

Manoj Kumar Verma, Mizoram University

Manoj Kumar Verma, a Professor in the Department of Library and Information Science at Mizoram University, Aizawl, India. He obtained a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from Guru Ghasidas University (Central University), Bilaspur, India. His areas of interest include Bibliometrics, Scientometrics, Webometrics, open-access publications, and sentiment analysis. He has published over 160 research papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals, 9 authored/edited books, 30 book chapters, and 67 conference papers.

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Published

2024-11-06

How to Cite

Basumatary, B., Robin, K., Arvind, & Verma, M. K. (2024). Mapping of Indigenous Knowledge Research in India: A Review of Growth, Emerging Topics and Future Research Directions based on Scientometric Tools. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, 11(4), 148–168. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/1731

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Original Manuscript
Received 2023-06-09
Accepted 2024-10-30
Published 2024-11-06