Lotte van der Weijst, PhD, and Jae-Yung Kwon, PhD RN
Co-Chairs of the New Investigators SIG
Quality of Life (QOL) research is constantly evolving. New investigators and early-career researchers play an important role in expanding the field of QOL research with new ideas and innovative methods.
Within the ISOQOL community, the New Investigators Special Interest Group (NI SIG) plays an important role in shaping the future of QOL research. A closer look at their research trends can provide valuable insights to drive the field forward.
Through a detailed bibliometric analysis, ISOQOL NI SIG explored the work of its members to uncover research trends, identify emerging areas of interest, and improve collaboration and support the NI SIG members in making meaningful contributions to the field.
Most NI SIG members are affiliated with high-income countries, such as the United States and Canada, with a strong preference for single-country collaborations. The network analysis revealed a large cluster of interconnected authors but also highlighted the need for more diverse international collaborations. Thematic analysis identified established research areas like psychometric validation and cancer, alongside emerging topics such as the use of machine learning in QOL research (figure 1).
This research shows that expanding networks, promoting international collaboration and focusing on innovation are important to drive the future trajectory of QOL research. It remains important to support new investigators, ensuring that their contributions continue to shape the evolving landscape of QOL research.
Figure 1: Thematic map
This newsletter editorial represents the views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ISOQOL.
How to Submit a Newsletter Editorial
Do you have something to share about health related quality of life and patient-centered outcomes? We want to hear from you!
Learn More
The International Society for Quality of Life Research (ISOQOL) is a global community of researchers, clinicians, health care professionals, industry professionals, consultants, and patient research partners advancing health related quality of life research (HRQL).
Together, we are creating a future in which patient perspective is integral to health research, care and policy.