Abstract: Based on scientific literature, the paper quantifies the general indicators of bibliometrics to model factors for identifying and discovering innovation path multi-dimensionally. From the perspective of network evolution of co-words, co-citation and institute collaboration, a platform for co-occurrence relation analysis was built to reveal the emerging, developing and drifting of research focus; the creating, diffusing and inheriting of innovation knowledge; and dynamic evolution of innovation subjects. Thus, innovation path was recognized and discovered visually and multi-dimensionally, whereas innovation development was explored as well, and innovation capability upgraded by optimizing innovation path. Empirical study was carried out, taking salt lake resources exploration as an example. Dynamic evolution of research focus, diffusion path of innovation knowledge and evolution of innovation subjects in this domain were demonstrated through quantitative analysis.

Key words: Recognizing and discovering innovation path, Co-words, Co-citation, Institute collaboration, Social network