Evolution of game-based learning research: A crossdatabase bibliometric analysis and visualization study (2015-2024).
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| Title: | Evolution of game-based learning research: A crossdatabase bibliometric analysis and visualization study (2015-2024). |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Akhmetova, Aigul I.1, Seitenova, Salima S.2 seitenova_ss@mail.ru, Khodjaev, Begzod K.3, Jamoldinova, Odinakhon R.4, Yerkebaeva, Saule Z.1, Kazybayeva, Kenzhegul U.5 |
| Source: | Contemporary Educational Technology. Jul2025, Vol. 17 Issue 3, p1-25. 25p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Bibliometrics, *Educational technology, *Visualization, *Citation analysis, *Gamification, Thematic analysis, University research |
| Abstract: | This study presents the first comprehensive dual-database bibliometric analysis of game-based learning research, investigating its evolution between 2015 and 2024 through analysis of 34,125 documents from Scopus (18,487) and Web of Science (WoS) (15,638) using advanced visualization techniques. The findings reveal consistent field expansion with notable database variations: Scopus demonstrates steady growth while WoS experienced a significant 2020 decline. Citation analysis shows a higher impact on 2015-2018 studies, with Hwang, G. J. as the most influential author and "Computers and Education" as the top journal. Co-keyword analysis reveals distinct conceptual structures--Scopus exhibits two clusters (human-centered studies and game-based learning/serious games) versus three in WoS (education-motivation, healthrehabilitation, technology-design). Thematic analysis demonstrates that game-based learning, serious games, and virtual reality occupy different maturity positions across databases, indicating varied theoretical consolidation. Collaboration networks show US, China, and European dominance, with weaker ties involving developing countries. These findings provide critical insights for educational policymakers and curriculum designers, identifying research clusters to guide targeted funding, collaboration gaps requiring international partnerships, and evidence-based guidance on established versus emerging game-based learning approaches. The dual-database methodology offers comprehensive research landscape mapping that supports strategic decisions in educational technology implementation and research prioritization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Contemporary Educational Technology is the property of Bastas Publications and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
| FullText | Links: – Type: pdflink Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 188037164 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Evolution of game-based learning research: A crossdatabase bibliometric analysis and visualization study (2015-2024). – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Akhmetova%2C+Aigul+I%2E%22">Akhmetova, Aigul I.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Seitenova%2C+Salima+S%2E%22">Seitenova, Salima S.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><i> seitenova_ss@mail.ru</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Khodjaev%2C+Begzod+K%2E%22">Khodjaev, Begzod K.</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jamoldinova%2C+Odinakhon+R%2E%22">Jamoldinova, Odinakhon R.</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yerkebaeva%2C+Saule+Z%2E%22">Yerkebaeva, Saule Z.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kazybayeva%2C+Kenzhegul+U%2E%22">Kazybayeva, Kenzhegul U.</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Contemporary+Educational+Technology%22">Contemporary Educational Technology</searchLink>. Jul2025, Vol. 17 Issue 3, p1-25. 25p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bibliometrics%22">Bibliometrics</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+technology%22">Educational technology</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Visualization%22">Visualization</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Citation+analysis%22">Citation analysis</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gamification%22">Gamification</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thematic+analysis%22">Thematic analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22University+research%22">University research</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: This study presents the first comprehensive dual-database bibliometric analysis of game-based learning research, investigating its evolution between 2015 and 2024 through analysis of 34,125 documents from Scopus (18,487) and Web of Science (WoS) (15,638) using advanced visualization techniques. The findings reveal consistent field expansion with notable database variations: Scopus demonstrates steady growth while WoS experienced a significant 2020 decline. Citation analysis shows a higher impact on 2015-2018 studies, with Hwang, G. J. as the most influential author and "Computers and Education" as the top journal. Co-keyword analysis reveals distinct conceptual structures--Scopus exhibits two clusters (human-centered studies and game-based learning/serious games) versus three in WoS (education-motivation, healthrehabilitation, technology-design). Thematic analysis demonstrates that game-based learning, serious games, and virtual reality occupy different maturity positions across databases, indicating varied theoretical consolidation. Collaboration networks show US, China, and European dominance, with weaker ties involving developing countries. These findings provide critical insights for educational policymakers and curriculum designers, identifying research clusters to guide targeted funding, collaboration gaps requiring international partnerships, and evidence-based guidance on established versus emerging game-based learning approaches. The dual-database methodology offers comprehensive research landscape mapping that supports strategic decisions in educational technology implementation and research prioritization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Contemporary Educational Technology is the property of Bastas Publications and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.30935/cedtech/16451 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 25 StartPage: 1 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Bibliometrics Type: general – SubjectFull: Educational technology Type: general – SubjectFull: Visualization Type: general – SubjectFull: Citation analysis Type: general – SubjectFull: Gamification Type: general – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis Type: general – SubjectFull: University research Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Evolution of game-based learning research: A crossdatabase bibliometric analysis and visualization study (2015-2024). Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Akhmetova, Aigul I. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Seitenova, Salima S. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Khodjaev, Begzod K. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Jamoldinova, Odinakhon R. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Yerkebaeva, Saule Z. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Kazybayeva, Kenzhegul U. IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 07 Text: Jul2025 Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 1309517X Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 17 – Type: issue Value: 3 Titles: – TitleFull: Contemporary Educational Technology Type: main |
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