Evolution of the Scholarly Landscape in Teacher Leadership Research: A Bibliometric Examination of Literature from 2014 To 2023

Abstract

Over the past decade, there has been a notable surge in the attention directed toward teacher leadership, where it has assumed a pivotal role in initiatives aimed at reforming and enhancing the realm of education. This bibliometrics analysis delves into the scholarly terrain of teacher leadership research available within the Scopus database, spanning the years 2014 to 2023. The primary objective of this study is to discern emerging trends, identify existing research lacunae, and outline potential implications for future inquiry and educational practice in this dynamic field. This comprehensive review consolidates insights derived from a diverse array of studies that scrutinize multiple facets of teacher leadership. It investigates the impact of various leadership styles on teacher morale, student achievement, and overall school improvement. Moreover, this analysis probes into the role of educators in nurturing positive school climates, orchestrating change, and fostering collaborative relationships within the educational community. The data collection process commenced by retrieving 1048 articles using the keyword "teacher leadership." To rigorously analyze this wealth of information, a variety of tools were employed, including Microsoft Excel for frequency analysis, data visualization, and Harzing's Publish or Perish for citation metrics and in-depth analysis. By dissecting the existing body of literature, this paper seeks to enhance our comprehension of the multifaceted dimensions of teacher leadership, offering valuable insights to both researchers and practitioners. The study encompasses an array of bibliometric indicators, encompassing language, subject area, publication year-based research trends, prominent countries of contribution, influential institutions, active source titles, citation patterns, authorship characteristics, and keyword distributions. The results underscore a significant upswing in teacher leadership literature from 2014 to 2023, with the United States emerging as the primary contributor to educational leadership research, closely followed by Turkey. In conclusion, this bibliometrics analysis provides a comprehensive panorama of teacher leadership research spanning the years 2014 to 2023. The discerned trends and identified research gaps present valuable insights for researchers, educators, and policymakers, offering a platform for the continued advancement of teacher leadership as a potent instrument for enhancing educational outcomes and nurturing professional development in the 21st century.