Visual Analysis of Intangible Cultural Heritage Research Hotspots Based on Knowledge Graph

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) research has experienced a significant period of systematic development and theoretical accumulation over time. To gain a clearer understanding of the evolution and trends within this field, existing research has been comprehensively organised and analysed. This study employs the knowledge graph method to provide a thorough examination of ICH research, drawing data from two (2) major academic databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Scopus. By utilising advanced tools like CiteSpace and VOSviewer, the study offers a visual analysis of publications related to ICH, revealing patterns and shifts within this body of knowledge. The use of these tools enables the identification of key themes and trends, providing a more comprehensive perspective for future research. The research findings suggest that the study of intangible cultural heritage in China has gone through three (3) distinctive stages: an initial period of slow progress, followed by rapid growth, and ultimately entering a phase of stable development. Key research areas within this domain include the preservation, management, and sustainable utilisation of ICH. Furthermore, international research trends in China have been found to closely align with those in European countries, reflecting a high degree of synchronisation and similarity in research themes. However, despite these advancements, gaps remain in certain specific areas, such as design application, in-depth case studies, and innovative communication methods for ICH. Through the use of visual analysis tools, researchers can gain a more intuitive understanding of the development trajectory of the ICH field in China. This provides a scientific and practical reference for future studies and helps identify potential areas for further research in the field.