Network analysis and scientific mapping of the e-learning literature from 1995 to 2018

Mohammad Bagher Negahban ,Nahid Zarifsanaiey

doi:10.34105/j.kmel.2020.12.014

Abstract

This study aims to explore the research trends in the field of e-learning by analyzing the relevant publications using network analysis and scientific mapping. The data were extracted from the Web of Science database from 1995 to 2018, revealing a growing number of articles published in e-learning. The keywords “e-learning” and “Internet” ranked first and second as the most frequently used terminology. “Internet”, “Blended Learning” and “E-Learning” are recognized as three main categories in the field. The findings also reveal that the research related to Internet, distance learning, learning management system, MOOC and mobile learning has had the greatest impact in the field of e-learning. Further, some topics (e-learning, education, MOOC, learning, online learning, blended learning, learning management system) serve as bridge to connect different topics. The other highly used terms, such as “information technology”, “healthcare”, “management” and “blended learning” represent the emerging topics in this field. In particular, e-learning in health or medical care has been an actively promoted topic in this field.

Highlights

Network analysis and scientific mapping of different disciplines and tracking their latest developments is a topic of interest to most researchers and scholars
The findings indicate that the number of e-learning related articles in the world is increasing on an annual basis
The findings revealed that the global growth trend of e-learning articles in WOS citation index has been on the rise

Summary

Introduction

Network analysis and scientific mapping of different disciplines and tracking their latest developments is a topic of interest to most researchers and scholars. The development of electronic teaching/learning and virtual space play a critical role in the development of scientific knowledge, and the research activities in this field have progressed in parallel to the activities in other disciplines. The researchers in this field have published a substantial number of scholarly papers in reliable scientific databases, which have led to the formation of its scientific structure. The present research analyzes the studies conducted in the field of e-learning by means of network analysis method

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