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topographlab

Topic mapping for literature reviews

Map your research landscape. Explore the evidence behind it.

Turn titles and abstracts into statistically tested topic maps. Explore keyword relationships, trace supporting papers and access reproducible methods to inform screening and writing.

See how it works
  • Statistically tested links
  • Reproducible settings
  • Reportable methods
Sample data: 600 arXiv abstracts on machine learning in healthcare. Map built on 2026-10-26.

Explore a topic map for yourself

Explore 600 arXiv abstracts on machine learning in healthcare, built on 2026-10-26. Colours distinguish topics; height shows publication year. Drag to rotate and select a keyword to see significant associations.

Height shows publication year (2018–2025)

Select a node to see its topic and significantly associated keywords.

Showing 27 of 361 topics, each with at least 3 documents. Sign in to explore the full sample in your workspace.

See how your literature connects. Understand the evidence behind each link.

Go from co-occurrence patterns to statistical evidence. Each analysis records test results, thresholds and reproducibility settings so you can understand your map and report your methods.

topographlab combines co-occurrence networks with statistical testing to distinguish observed associations from chance and record reportable results.

Co-occurrence patterns

Identify relationships

topographlab

Explore relationships and statistical support

From references to a topic map

Explore your literature in five steps

Import your references, test keyword associations, identify topics and assign papers. Statistical inference runs independently of language models, with methods included in your results.

  1. 01

    Import and organise

    Upload a database export. Detect formats, map fields and remove duplicates, then preview your records before analysis.

    • Scopus / WoS CSV
    • RIS
    • BibTeX
    • PubMed MEDLINE
    • OpenAlex JSON
    • CNKI / Wanfang
  2. 02See the evidence behind each link

    Test keyword relationships

    Test whether keywords co-occur more often than expected by chance. Only links that pass testing with multiple-comparison correction enter the network.

  3. 03

    Discover topics

    Identify topics in the tested network. A fixed random seed supports reproducibility, while the link strength threshold controls the scope of your map.

  4. 04

    Connect topics to papers

    Assign papers to topics through corrected statistical tests. Open a topic to explore its supporting documents.

  5. 05

    Report your methods

    Each analysis generates a methods paragraph, statistical appendices and reproducibility settings to help you describe your approach.

Bring your methods into your paper

Make your methods clear and reportable

Access the tests, corrections, thresholds and random seed used in your analysis. Copy the methods paragraph or export Markdown, then review it against your study design before using it in your paper.

  • Methods
  • Statistical appendices
  • Reproducibility settings
Example methods paragraph
Topic structure was derived from the titles and abstracts of 600 records, of which 600 contained abstracts of at least 40 words and were retained for analysis.

Full methods accompany each analysis for review, citation and writing.

Excerpt from topographlab 0.1.0 analysing 600 arXiv records on machine learning in healthcare, 2014–2026. The original English is shown; Chinese corpora can generate Chinese methods.

Fits your review workflow

Understand your literature before screening

Bring your search results into topographlab, explore topics and relationships, then take that understanding into screening tools such as Rayyan or Covidence and into your writing.

  1. 01

    Search

    Search your databases and export references.

    Scopus · Web of Science · PubMed · OpenAlex · CNKI

  2. 02Explore with topographlab

    Explore and map

    Discover topics, trace relationships and access methods and timelines.

    topographlab

  3. 03

    Screen

    Screen titles and abstracts, review decisions and resolve conflicts.

    Rayyan · Covidence · DistillerSR

  4. 04

    Write

    Review methods, cite statistical appendices and export figures.

    Your paper or research report

Know where mapping fits

topographlab focuses on topic exploration. Use dedicated research tools for the following tasks.

  • Use screening tools for inclusion and exclusion decisions, dual review and conflict resolution.
  • Use appropriate tools for risk-of-bias assessment and structured data extraction.
  • Prepare PRISMA flow diagrams separately.
  • Run your database searches first, then import the exports. In-app database searching is not available.
  • Language models can assist with topic names and summaries, independently of statistical inference. When unavailable, keyword labels are used and disclosed in the report.

From the landscape to the evidence

Four ways to explore your literature

Explore topic distributions and keyword networks, then trace the supporting abstracts and DOIs.

See the structure of your research landscape

Compare topics on a single map. Each circle represents a topic, sized by its document count.

Filter smaller topics, hover for details or select a topic to explore. Navigation keeps your current level visible.

Choose a plan for your research

Find a plan for your research

Every plan includes statistical testing, topic maps and methods. Choose the review capacity, analysis allowance and exports that fit your research.

Loading plans…

Start with your literature. Discover where to explore next.