Evolving taxonomies: Fifty years of taxonomy development in Library and Information Science

This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of taxonomy development in Library and Information Science (LIS), covering 50 years (1974–2024) and examining 268 articles indexed in Scopus. It identifies three phases of research evolution: an early stage with limited output, a growth phase marked by methodological expansion, and a mature phase characterized by interdisciplinary and technology-driven approaches. The results show important contributors like Nickerson and Varshney, showing a change from basic classification systems to taxonomies that are based on consensus, are human-centered, and use artificial intelligence. Emerging themes include knowledge modeling, ontologies, and applications in business and information systems. By combining bibliometric mapping with systematic review techniques, this study charts the intellectual and thematic landscape of taxonomy research in LIS. The results emphasize the need for adaptable, user-centric taxonomies that align with modern digital infrastructures. These insights inform both theoretical refinement and practical innovation in taxonomy design, providing a foundation for future research across diverse knowledge domains.