Table 2 Terminology associated with cluster searching
Concept | Description |
|---|---|
Cluster searching | A systematic attempt, using a variety of search techniques, to identify papers or other research outputs that relate to a single study. This relation may be direct (i.e. “sibling” papers produced from the same study) or indirect (“kinship” studies that inform theoretical or contextual elements of the study of interest). |
Key pearl citation | A key work in a topic area, specifically in this context a report of a research study that acts as a retrieval point for related outputs that may help to explicate theory or to understand context. |
Kinship study | A study subsequently identified as being related to an original study of interest. Kinship studies may share a common theoretical origin, links to a common antecedent study or a contemporaneous or spatial context. |
Sibling paper | A paper subsequently identified as being an output from the same study as an original paper of interest. |
Study cluster | A group of inter-related papers or other research outputs that relate to the same single research study. |