Open Knowledge Maps: Visual Discovery Based on the Principles of Open Science

Abstract

There is a discoverability crisis in research. A significant share of research outputs are not reused, even though publications are more easily accessible thanks to the open access movement. One of the main reasons for the crisis are the tools that we use for discovery. Classic list-based approaches are not suitable any more for the three million papers that are published each year. Open Knowledge Maps is dedicated to improving the visibility of scientific knowledge. To this end, the charitable nonprofit organisation operates the largest visual search engine in the world. Our approach is to use knowledge maps for discovery. Knowledge maps provide an instant overview of a scientific field and thus enable users to get acquainted with the literature much more quickly. Open Knowledge Maps is based on the principles of open science: content, data, and software are shared under an open license. This creates an open infrastructure, avoiding the lock-in effects of proprietary systems. Since the beginning, Open Knowledge Maps has worked together closely with libraries and librarians as the experts for knowledge organisation and management. As part of a consortial funding model, we now invite libraries to co-create the system with us – this includes important upcoming topics, such as the discoverability of research data.