What is Co-Word Maps

The method of scientometrics can be extremely useful when combined with the qualitative study of technoscience widely practiced by science and technology studies. This chapter intends to integrate a qualitative study of the regulation of testing of two genetic variants (called nonrandom thrombophilias [NRT]), associated with susceptibility to generate blood clots in the venous system, or venous thromboembolism (VTE). NRTs are of particular interest because they were identified in the mid-1990s and have nurtured and participated in the promise of predictive medicine based on individualized risk profiles. The integration of qualitative and quantitative methods occurs at two levels. In the first, the qualitative survey previously conducted provides the tools to orient the scientometric analysis and direct its results. In the second, the maps obtained will be compared and integrated through interviews with several key figures from different European countries.