An Analysis of the Conceptual Structure of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Using Network Analysis and Visual Analytics

Department of Management and Information Systems
  1. Open Access Kent State
  2. Kent State University COVID-19 research and funded grants
  3. An Analysis of the Conceptual Structure of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Using Network Analysis and Visual Analytics
Author(s)
Abstract

Objective: This study analyzes the conceptual structure of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. We present a thematic mapping of concepts and a narrative exposition of the clusters of themes and relevant terminologies that explains the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has rattled the world in the past five months. We evaluate the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and two previous coronavirus outbreaks, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Finally, we point to areas for future epidemiological studies to help in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Method: We use network analysis, data mining, and visual analytics to synthesize the keywords, themes, and terminologies in the scientific literature on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, and related concepts and terms. The data used in this study come from 346 scientific publications on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 between 2019 and April 2020, selected through a systematic review process. The selected documents come from the Web of Science.

Results: The study offers the first comprehensive exposition of the conceptual structure and theoretical evaluation of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, and in-depth narrative of themes and clusters of related terminologies through the scholarship of integration. The study points to areas for future clinical trials and epidemiology studies as the effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Conclusion: This paper achieved three outcomes; the conceptual structure of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, a narrative exposition of the cluster of themes and terminologies with analysis of the relationship with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, and highlight crucial areas for future studies.
Format
Article
Identifier(s)
10.2139/ssrn.3593142
Publication Date
2020-05-04
Keywords
Community
Department of Management and Information Systems
Permalink https://oaks.kent.edu/covid19ksu/analysis-conceptual-structure-sars-cov-2-and-covid-19-using-network-analysis-and-visual
Akpan, I., Ezeume, I., Udomboso, E., Ezeume, A., & Akpan, A. (2020). An Analysis of the Conceptual Structure of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Using Network Analysis and Visual Analytics. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3593142
Akpan, Ikpe, Izuchukwu Ezeume, Elias Udomboso, Atinuke Ezeume, and Asuama Akpan. 2020. “An Analysis of the Conceptual Structure of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Using Network Analysis and Visual Analytics”. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3593142.
Akpan, I., I. Ezeume, E. Udomboso, A. Ezeume, and A. Akpan. An Analysis of the Conceptual Structure of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Using Network Analysis and Visual Analytics. 4 May 2020, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3593142.