Oxytocin: A citation network analysis of 10 000 papers

Our understanding of the oxytocin system has been built over the last 70 years by the work of hundreds of scientists, reported in thousands of papers. Here, we construct a map to that literature, using citation network analysis in conjunction with bibliometrics. The map identifies ten major 'clusters' of papers on oxytocin that differ in their particular research focus and that densely cite papers from the same cluster. We identify highly cited papers within each cluster and in each decade, not because citations are a good indicator of quality, but as a guide to recognising what questions were of wide interest at particular times. The clusters differ in their temporal profiles and bibliometric features; here, we attempt to understand the origins of these differences.

Automated summary

A map constructed using citation network analysis and bibliometrics reveals ten major clusters of papers on oxytocin, each with different research focus and citation relationships. Highly cited papers within each cluster and decade can guide recognition of widely interesting questions at specific times, despite citation not being a good quality indicator. The clusters display temporal and bibliometric differences that warrant further investigation.