Evolution of studies on the 'Networks' theme between researchers of the WG7 in the ENANCIBS (2011 to 2016)

ABSTRACT Exploratory and qualitative-quantitative research, supported by a bibliographical research, which aims to characterize the evolution of scientific research on the theme "Networks" in Working Group 7 (WG7), between the years 2011 to 2016, of the National Research Association And Post-Graduation in Information Science (ANCIB). It discusses the approaches and theories of Social Networks, such as concepts, typologies and methodologies. It presents and discusses the networks of authors that published on "Networks" in the National Meeting of Research in Information Science (ENANCIB), during the period and within the WG analyzed. It characterizes the researchers regarding the academic formation. Presents and discusses collaboration between institutions. It analyzes the issues most addressed in the publications. In view of the quantitative data, we observed the relevance of the topic within WG7, the receptivity of the topic in institutions of almost the entire Brazilian territory, the existence of connections with foreign institutions, a strong institutional relationship among the actors constituting orientation networks, a variety of academic backgrounds, But with predominance of authors with formation in CI or sister areas and significant occurrence of co-authorship networks in network studies.