Thematic trends of future studies in Persian texts: Analysis of conceptual structure

رحیمی, صالح; Soheili, Faramarz

doi:10.30479/jfs.2025.21341.1594

Thematic trends of future studies in Persian texts: Analysis of conceptual structure

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

² Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

10.30479/jfs.2025.21341.1594

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to present the scientific structure of the field of futures studies from 1999 to 2023 using bibliometric techniques to identify the main research clusters, key topics in each cluster, the trajectory of the clusters' evolution, and the gaps between research areas.
Method: This study was conducted using bibliometric and co-occurrence analysis techniques. A total of 690 documents were extracted from the Islamic World Science & Technology Monitoring and Citation Institute(ISC) to identify research trends in futures studies over the specified period. Cluster analysis and strategic diagrams were used to conceptualize the structure of research in the field of futures studies.
Findings: Eleven clusters in the field of futures studies were identified, including: Fundamentals of foresight (1), Foresight and Mahdism (2), Methods and techniques of futures studies (3), Foresight in urban planning (4), Drivers of urban governance (5), Scenario building and media (6), Foresight and national security (7), Futures studies in higher education (8), Futures studies and security (9), Scenario writing (10), and Rural planning and development (11). Additionally, emerging topics in futures studies were identified through content analysis of articles published over the past 25 years.
Conclusion: The results of this study can help provide a comprehensive understanding of the current research domains and offer guidelines for researchers to initiate new studies. This paper will help researchers gain a comprehensive understanding of the concept of futures studies and identify potential areas for future research.

Keywords