Abstract
We present ontological meta-analysis and synthesis of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) as a method for reviewing, mapping, and visualizing the research literature in the domain cumulatively, logically, systematically, and systemically. The method will highlight the domain’s bright spots which are heavily emphasized, the light spots which are lightly emphasized, the blind spots which have been overlooked, and the blank spots which may never be emphasized. It will highlight the biases and asymmetries in the domain’s research; the research can then be realigned to make it stronger and more effective. We present an ontology for HIPAA, map the literature onto the ontology, and highlight its bright, light, and blank/blind spots in an ontological map. We conclude with a discussion of how such a map can be used to realign HIPAA research and practice.