Operationalizing developments in a problem field: The case of MBD

For the most part scientific developments in problem fields result in increasing specification of research problems. With respect to the problem of Minimal Brain Dysfunction, however, the reverse trend can be observed. In the case of the occurrence of behavioural problems related tominimal brain dysfunction, scientific developments resulted in a more diffuse formulation because of the nature of this problem. In the paper co-word analysis methodology is used to study changes in the structure of networks around central terms in this field for the period 1970–1984. It is apparent that central terms in the field are not able to funnel the interests in the field despite the growing number of scientific articles written on the subject.