Pattern of Research Trend Emerging from Small Data

Abstract

Identification and prediction of the current ongoing and future research trends are critically important to research scientists to be on track of the significantly important topics and also ahead of the others if all possible. Such information can be extrapolated by mining the existing data available from different databases to delineate the important research topics that many are working on and also the emerging ones that attract attention. Because of the readily availability of online published articles in Open Access mode and instant information in real time on viewing number, read and citations, a simple summary of the papers published in this journal over the past 4 years indicated clearly the most viewed research articles and topics are in line with the main stream information available, namely novel dehalogenase, thermophilic organisms and biotechnological application in bioleaching, souring inhibition in oil reservoirs, and the current public interest on plastics. This information can be used in refining one’s specific research to target for popularity and visibility.