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Visualizing research trends and research theme evolution in E-learning field: 1999–2018

Author

Listed:
  • Yang Bai

    (Central China Normal University)

  • Hongxiu Li

    (Tampere University)

  • Yong Liu

    (Aalto University School of Business)

Abstract

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of major research themes and trends in e-learning research. A co-word analysis is applied for the analysis of the 21,656 keywords collected from 7214 articles published in 10 journals in the field of e-learning from the years 1999 to 2018. Specifically, a cluster analysis, social network analysis, strategic diagram, and graph theory were applied in the analysis for two time periods: 1999–2008 and 2009–2018. The study detects the bridging, popular, and core topics in e-learning research for the two periods. The research results indicate that e-learning research has undergone a health evolution over the past two decades. There is a temporal continuity of e-learning research because some research topics have kept their continuity over the studied 20 years. Meanwhile, the research traditions in the e-learning field are also continuously evolving with the development of new technologies. The results also offer useful hints on the future direction of how the field may evolve.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang Bai & Hongxiu Li & Yong Liu, 2021. "Visualizing research trends and research theme evolution in E-learning field: 1999–2018," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(2), pages 1389-1414, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:126:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s11192-020-03760-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-020-03760-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiuwen Chen & Jianping Li & Xiaolei Sun & Dengsheng Wu, 2019. "Early identification of intellectual structure based on co-word analysis from research grants," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 121(1), pages 349-369, October.
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    4. Loet Leydesdorff & Robert L. Goldstone, 2014. "Interdisciplinarity at the journal and specialty level: The changing knowledge bases of the journal cognitive science," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 65(1), pages 164-177, January.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Zamani, Mehdi & Yalcin, Haydar & Naeini, Ali Bonyadi & Zeba, Gordana & Daim, Tugrul U, 2022. "Developing metrics for emerging technologies: identification and assessment," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    3. Yanjun Gao & Su Luan Wong & Mas Nida Md. Khambari & Nooreen bt Noordin & Jingxin Geng, 2022. "Sustaining E-Learning Studies in Higher Education: An Examination of Scientific Productions in Scopus between 2019 and 2021," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-20, October.

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