Systematic review of the "semantic network" definitions

Knowledge can be represented through semantic networks, which have the advantages of being simple, clear, and easy to visualize. The literature points to the existence of a diversity of "semantic network" definitions, which can be conceived of as structures based on graphs with edges or arcs. According to this assumption, vertices can be assigned meanings or be labeled, and they can represent concepts, objects, or individuals; edges can have direction or be labeled, and they represent relationships or associations. A semantic network model can be designed to capture only one or several aspects of a semantic structure. We performed a systematic review of the literature with the aim of identifying and classifying the family of "semantic network" definitions adopted by the authors of the studies reviewed. This study mapped the "semantic network" definitions present in the literature and analyzed aspects such as the mathematical representation used, vertices and edges representation, the attribution of meanings to each network component and the semantic network representation. We also analyzed the core of words linked to the family of the "semantic network" term in a semantic network based on their definitions.