Quality of teaching & learning in higher education: a bibliometric review & future research agenda

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to visualize and map the emerging themes in the field of quality of teaching and learning in higher education. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a bibliometric approach to review studies published between 2000 and 2021. The leading trends in authorship, publications and countries were analyzed using the Web of Science database. Findings The analysis reveals four distinct clusters: quality, teaching and learning, supportive environment and learning outcomes. The literature in the field is lop-sided, and many issues still need to be addressed. Research limitations/implications While bibliometric analysis has achieved significant recognition among academicians, this study was restricted to the data set provided by Web of Science. In addition, the analysis covers a specific time frame and may not capture recent developments in the field. Future research should address these limitations and consider expanding the sample size and incorporating more diverse methodologies. Practical implications The findings have implications for practitioners, policymakers and researchers. Practitioners can benefit from the identified core authors’ work and access evidence-based practices to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in their institutions. Policymakers can use the research findings to inform policymaking processes and develop robust quality assurance frameworks. Researchers can build upon the identified clusters and core authors’ work to address research gaps and advance knowledge in the field. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive bibliometric review of the quality of teaching and learning in higher education. Identifying clusters and core authors offers a systematic overview of the significant themes and influential figures within the field. This research provides a foundation for further exploration and understanding of quality in higher education.