关键词: 区域差异, SCIE/SSCI, 文献计量, 发展趋势, 1990-2012, Regional inequality, SCIE/SSCI, Bibliometric Analysis, Trend, 1990-2012

Abstract: Based on the SCIE(Science Citation Index Expanded) and SSCI(Social Science Citation Index) databases, a bibliometric analysis is conducted on the literature of regional inequality during 1990-2012. The objective of this study is to identify the status and trend of this hot topic across disciplines. The collaboration relationship on this topic is identified among authors, institutions, and countries. In addition, differences between China, USA and UK are also detected. Emerging themes are discussed as well. This study should serve as a useful guidance for beginners to grasp the big picture of this growing literature list, while experienced researchers can gain a comprehensive and in-depth overview of this hot topic to better refine research directions and detect the gaps to fill. Bibliometrics is employed in this paper to analyze the publication pattern of regional inequality research. As a research method used in library and information sciences, bibliometrics has been widely applied to analyze the pattern of literature and trend of a given topic or subject. It can be used for in-depth reviews of research themes for better guidance for follow-up studies. Based on 3528 publications indexed in the SCIE/SSCI databases during 1990-2012, The results reveal that Harvard university and University California Los Angeles are major research institutions in this area. USA ranks as the top country in the publications of this topic both qualitatively and quantitatively. China's publications on regional inequality research lag far behind that of USA and UK, and the quality should be improved. The world interests on Asia and China make the overseas Chinese scholars an important role in this research field. Regional inequality research has witnessed a growing trend by paper number and collaboration across countries. However, because of the locality of the study area, there is no global collaboration-pattern in regional inequality research. China has been the hot area for nearly 20 years, and the research focus are health, income inequality and the social economic factors. Brazil and Latin America will be the hot spots around the world in regional inequality research. Education, globalization and public health appear to be the hot topics.The research area mainly concentrates on large size countries or regions, particularly developing countries and regions. Research focus shifted from economic inequality to both economic and social inequality, but also vary according to various study areas. The method of research tends to integrate various analytical means，focuing on merging economic analysis method with geographical method. Particularly, geo-spatial analysis technology and methods is increasingly important in solving complex spatial phenomena and mechanism.