Landscapes of information science and library science research: comparing funded and non-funded research from 2008 to 2023

Purpose – For understanding how funding affects research and scholarly communication environments, this study investigates the evolving landscape of funded and non-funded research in Information Science and Library Science (ISLS) from 2008 to 2023. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 64, 784 articles which were indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection were analyzed. Findings – Funded research is more frequently published in English, appears in high-impact journals from major commercial publishers and attracts more citations and co-authorship. It also tends to focus on interdisciplinary and technology-driven topics. Conversely, non-funded research sustains core and traditional ISLS themes and reflects greater bibliodiversity across languages, publishers and regions. Originality/value – This study addresses the concentration of funding in select venues and the potential narrowing of research agendas. The study discussed the need for inclusive funding strategies that support not only innovation but also a foundational and diverse research agenda to ensure balanced scholarly communication.