Trends in Conceptual Modeling: Citation Analysis of the ER Conference Papers (1979-2005)

We analyze thematic trends and challenging issues in conceptual modeling based on the metadata of 943 research papers published in a series of conferences on conceptual modeling (known as the ER conferences) between 1979 and 2005. We specifically address 1) all-time prominent challenges in conceptual modeling, 2) current challenges and emerging trends, and 3) the structure and dynamics of the conceptual modeling community. We utilize CiteSpace, a progressive domain visualization tool, to identify and visualize the movement of research fronts and intellectual bases, persistent clusters of papers, critical paths connecting these clusters, and the evolution of co-authorship networks as well as citation networks. The work contributes an indepth analysis of a major forum of conceptual modeling and a practical method that one can use as frequently as needed to keep abreast of the state of the art of conceptual modeling.