Assessing Research Trends on Military Risk and Safety: An Integrated Scientometric and Scoping Study

Abstract

The military environment is characterized by operations and activities that carry a high level of risk. Therefore, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of risk assessment in order to ensure the well-being and effectiveness of personnel. This study aims to evaluate the breadth of existing research in this field through a detailed scientometric and scoping review. By analyzing data from bibliographic databases such as Scopus and WoS, sophisticated data analysis tools like ScientoPy and VOSviewer have been employed to process and visualize the data. The study has identified several major research themes, including the impact of cultural factors on risk perception, the influence of psychological and physical health risks, and the evolving nature of risk assessment methodologies in military contexts. A list of the top ten keywords extracted from the analysis includes military, risk assessment, suicide, veterans, epidemiology, risk factors, risk, military personnel, risk management, and risk analysis. In addition, the scoping analysis has revealed that the majority of research samples for risk assessment among military personnel focused on males. The study highlights the importance of addressing under-researched areas, such as the unique risks faced by female military personnel, and emphasizes the need for a more holistic approach to understanding risk in diverse operational environments.