Semantic Reorganization in Transdisciplinary Research: Integrating 'Pre-Stimulus Activity,' 'Anticipation,' and 'Voluntary Action' in Neurocognitive Studies

The synthesis of knowledge is a cornerstone of advancing scientific research and addressing complex research problems, in particular within interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary frameworks. This paper explores the semantic organization and the evolving interconnections among closely related neurocognitive processes—specifically, "Pre-Stimulus Activity," "Anticipation," and "Voluntary Action." Despite occurring in the same time-frame leading to an neurophysiological event (i.e. an action or response), they often remain conceptually and terminologically isolated within different research clusters, leading to a fragmented understanding and inhibiting the synthesis of new insights. Utilizing a bibliometric analysis of datasets from Web of Science and PubMed, this study investigates the semantic patterns and chronological evolution of key terms associated with these processes. The findings underscore the necessity of semantic reorganization in research, emphasizing that the integration of related concepts is not merely additive but requires a deeper, structural alignment of terminologies across disciplines. Such reorganization is pivotal for advancing transdisciplinary research, as it facilitates the synthesis of knowledge and the development of more comprehensive theoretical models. By systematically including and cross-referencing datasets related to "Anticipation" and "Voluntary Action" within the study of "Pre-Stimulus Activity," this paper advocates for a more unified approach to understanding these neurocognitive phenomena, ultimately contributing towards a more cohesive and integrated research landscape.