Abstracts
Abstract
This bibliometric analysis explores the rapidly growing field of open education, offering insight into its nature and the wide range of academic topics it covers. This study applies co-citation and co-word analyses approach to critically review 402 publications from the Web of Science database. The aim is to identify emerging topics, seminal works, and dominant trends in the literature on open education. The co-citation analysis identifies key publications and thematic clusters that define the field, including discussions on pedagogical innovations, equity and accessibility, quality assurance, and the global impact of open educational practices (OEP). Co-word analysis, on the other hand, highlights the recurrent and emerging keywords within the literature, revealing focal points such as digital transformation in education, the role of massive open online courses (MOOCs), and the significance of open educational resources (OER) in fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments. This study stands out for its quantitative approach in mapping the current academic conditions of open education, offering insights into the dynamic interplay between technology, policy, and pedagogy. It emphasizes the need for a collaborative, inclusive approach to education, employing open educational resources and methods to fulfill the different needs of learners globally. Through this analysis, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the current state and future directions of open education, advocating for policies and practices that support sustainable, accessible, and high-quality educational experiences.
Keywords:
- open education,
- bibliometric analysis,
- Web of Science,
- education policy
Appendices
Bibliography
- Ali, A., Ramakrishnan, S., Faisal, F., Akram, T., Salam, S., & Rahman, S. U. (2023). Bibliometric analysis of finance and natural resources: Past trend, current development, and future prospects. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 25(11), 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02602-1
- Andrade, A., Ehlers, U. D., Caine, A., Carneiro, R., Conole, G., Kairamo, A.-K., Koskinen, T., Kretschmer, T., Moe-Pryce, N., Mundin, P., Nozes, J., Reinhardt, R., Richter, T., Silva, G., & Holmberg, C. (2011). Beyond OER: Shifting focus to open educational practices: OPAL Report 2011. Open Educational Quality Initiative. https://www.oerknowledgecloud.org/record36
- Assaf, N., & Gan, D. (2021). Environmental education using distance learning during the COVID-19 lockdown in Israel. Perspectives in Education, 39(1), 257–276. https://doi.org/10.38140/pie.v39i1.4684
- Atkins, D. E., Brown, J. S., & Hammond, A. L. (2007). A review of the open educational resources (OER) movement: Achievements, challenges, and new opportunities. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. https://www.oerknowledgecloud.org/record102
- Bali, M., Cronin, C., & Jhangiani, R. S. (2020). Framing open educational practices from a social justice perspective. Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2020(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.5334/jime.565
- Bayne, S. (2015). What’s the matter with ‘technology-enhanced learning’? Learning, Media and Technology, 40(1), 5–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439884.2014.915851
- Beetham, H., Falconer, I., McGill, L., & Littlejohn, A. (2012). Open practices: Briefing paper. JISC. https://oersynth.pbworks.com/w/page/51668352/OpenPracticesBriefing
- Bettiol, S., Psereckis, R., & MacIntyre, K. (2022). A perspective of massive open online courses (MOOCs) and public health. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 1058383. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1058383
- Bilan, Y., Oliinyk, O., Mishchuk, H., & Skare, M. (2023). Impact of information and communication technology on the development and use of knowledge. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 191, 122519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122519
- Bliss, TJ., Robinson, T. J., Hilton, J., & Wiley, D. A. (2013). An OER COUP: College teacher and student perceptions of open educational resources. Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2013(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.5334/2013-04
- Bozkurt, A., Gjelsvik, T., Adam, T., Asino, T. I., Atenas, J., Bali, M., Blomgren, C., Bond, M. Bonk, C. J., Brown, M., Burgos, D., Conrad, D., Costello, E., Cronin, C., Czerniewicz, L., Deepwell, M., Deimann, M., DeWaard, H. J., Dousay, T. A., ... Zawacki-Richter, O. (2023). Openness in education as a Praxis: From individual testimonials to collective voices. Open Praxis, 15(2), 76–112. https://doi.org/10.55982/%20openpraxis.15.2.574
- Bozkurt, A., Koseoglu, S., & Singh, L. (2019). An analysis of peer reviewed publications on openness in education in half a century: Trends and patterns in the open hemisphere. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 35(4), 78-97. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.4252
- Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
- Bronk, K. C., Reichard, R. J., & Qi Li, J. (2023). A co-citation analysis of purpose: Trends and (potential) troubles in the foundation of purpose scholarship. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 18(6), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2023.2168563
- Calder, T., Tong, T., Hu, D. J., Kim, J. H., Kotloff, K. L., Koup, R. A., Marovich M. A., McElrath M. J., Read, S. W., Robb, M. L., Renzullo, P. O., & D’Souza, M. P. (2022). Leveraging lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic for HIV. Communications Medicine, 2(1), 110. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-022-00175-8
- Chandrakumar, D., Arumugam, V., & Vasudevan, A. (2024). Exploring presenteeism trends: a comprehensive bibliometric and content analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1352602.
- Chohan, S. R., & Hu, G. (2022). Strengthening digital inclusion through e-government: Cohesive ICT training programs to intensify digital competency. Information Technology for Development, 28(1), 16–38. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2020.1841713
- Clinton-Lisell, V. E., Roberts-Crews, J., & Gwozdz, L. (2023). SCOPE of open education: A new framework for research. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 24(4), 135–153. http://dx.doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v24i4.7356
- Colvard, N. B., Watson, C. E., & Park, H. (2018). The impact of open educational resources on various student success metrics. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 30(2), 262–276.
- Cox, G., & Trotter, H. (2016). Institutional culture and OER policy: How structure, culture, and agency mediate OER policy potential in South African universities. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 17(5), 147–164. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v17i5.2523
- Croft, B., & Brown, M. (2020). Inclusive open education: Presumptions, principles, and practices. Distance Education, 41(2), 156–170. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2020.1757410
- Cronin, C. (2017). Openness and praxis: Exploring the use of open educational practices in higher education. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 18(5), 15–34. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v18i5.3096
- Cronin, C. (2020). Open education: Walking a critical path. In Open(ing) education (pp. 9–25). Brill.
- Cronin, C., & MacLaren, I. (2018). Conceptualising OEP: A review of theoretical and empirical literature in open educational practices. Open praxis, 10(2), 127–143. http://dx.doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.10.2.825
- Cui, T., Tong, Y., Teo, H.-H., & Li, J. (2020). Managing knowledge distance: IT-enabled inter-firm knowledge capabilities in collaborative innovation. Journal of Management Information Systems, 37(1), 217–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2019.1705504
- Cunha, M. N., Chuchu, T., & Maziriri, E. (2020). Threats, challenges, and opportunities for open universities and massive online open courses in the digital revolution. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 15(12), 191–204. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i12.13435
- Daniel, J. (2012). Making sense of MOOCs: Musings in a maze of myth, paradox and possibility. Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2012(3), 18. https://doi.org/10.5334/2012-18
- D’Antoni, S. (2009). Open educational resources: Reviewing initiatives and issues. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 24(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680510802625443
- dos Santos, A. I., Punie, Y., & Muñoz, J. C. (2016). Opening up education: A support framework for higher education institutions (No. JRC101436). Joint Research Centre.
- Ehlers, U. D. (2011). Extending the territory: From open educational resources to open educational practices. Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning, 15(2), 1–10.
- Farrow, R., Coughlan, T., Goshtasbpour, F., & Pitt, B. (2023). Supported open learning and decoloniality: Critical reflections on three case studies. Education Sciences, 13(11), 1115. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13111115
- Farsawang, P., & Songkram, N. (2023). Fostering technology integration and adaptability in higher education: Insights from the COVID-19 pandemic. Contemporary Educational Technology, 15(4), ep456. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech%2F13513
- Fischer, L., Hilton, J., Robinson, T. J., & Wiley, D. A. (2015). A multi-institutional study of the impact of open textbook adoption on the learning outcomes of post-secondary students. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 27(3), 159–172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-015-9101-x
- Gangathulasi, J., Velu, S., Malliga, P., & KSA, D. K. (2023, June). Assessment of the utilization of open educational resources during and after the pandemic. 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--42336
- Gong, R. (2024). Claiming our place in the center: Counterstories of women of color open educational resources (OER) librarians (Doctoral dissertation, Michigan State University). Michigan State University. https://digital.sandiego.edu/library_facpub/23/
- Gunawardena, C. N. (2020). Culturally inclusive online learning for capacity development projects in international contexts. Journal of Learning for Development, 7(1), 5-30. https://doaj.org/article/42bf57aa446d4a0cb5c22f21c79c6022
- Hegarty, B. (2015). Attributes of open pedagogy: A model for using open educational resources. Educational Technology, 55(4), 3–13. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44430383
- Hilton, J. (2016). Open educational resources and college textbook choices: A review of research on efficacy and perceptions. Educational Technology Research and Development, 64, 573–590. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-016-9434-9
- Hilton, J., III, (2020). Open educational resources, student efficacy, and user perceptions: A synthesis of research published between 2015 and 2018. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68, 853–876. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-019-09700-4
- Hilton, J. L., III, Gaudet, D., Clark, P., Robinson, J., & Wiley, D. (2013). The adoption of open educational resources by one community college math department. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 14(4), 37–50. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v14i4.1523
- Huang, R., Liu, D., Tlili, A., Knyazeva, S., Chang, T. W., Zhang, X., Burgos, D., Jemni, M., Zhang, M., Zhuang, R., & Holotescu, C. (2020). Guidance on open educational practices during school closures: Utilizing OER under COVID-19 pandemic in line with UNESCO OER recommendation. Beijing: Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University.
- Iniesto, F., Tabuenca, B., Rodrigo, C., & Tovar, E. (2021). Challenges to achieving a more inclusive and sustainable open education. Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2021(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.5334/jime.679
- Irwanto, I., Wahyudiati, D., Saputro, A. D., & Lukman, I. R. (2023). Massive open online courses (MOOCs) in higher education: A bibliometric analysis (2012–2022). IJIET: International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 13(2), 223–231. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2023.13.2.1799
- Jhangiani, R. S., Pitt, R., Hendricks, C., Key, J., & Lalonde, C. (2016). Exploring faculty use of open educational resources at British Columbia post-secondary institutions. British Columbia Open Textbook Project. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1091.6884
- Jordan, K. (2014). Initial trends in enrolment and completion of massive open online courses. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 15(1), 133–160. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v15i1.1651
- Kaatrakoski, H., Littlejohn, A., & Hood, N. (2017). Learning challenges in higher education: An analysis of contradictions within open educational practice. Higher Education, 74, 599–615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-016-0067-z
- Kanwar, A., Kodhandaraman, B., & Umar, A. (2010). Toward sustainable open education resources: A perspective from the Global South. American Journal of Distance Education, 24(2), 65–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/08923641003696588
- Kauffman, S. M. (2021). Community college professors’ perceptions of open educational resources and their impact on student success and social justice in education: An instrumental case study (Doctoral dissertation, Drexel University). Drexel University.
- Kim, D., Lee, Y., Leite, W. L., & Huggins-Manley, A. C. (2020). Exploring student and teacher usage patterns associated with student attrition in an open educational resource-supported online learning platform. Computers & Education, 156, 103961. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103961
- Knox, J. (2013). Five critiques of the open educational resources movement. Teaching in Higher Education, 18(8), 821–832. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2013.774354
- Lambert, S. R. (2018). Changing our (dis)course: A distinctive social justice aligned definition of open education. Journal of Learning for Development, 5(3), 225–244.
- Lane, A., & McAndrew, P. (2010). Are open educational resources systematic or systemic change agents for teaching practice? British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(6), 952–962. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2010.01119.x
- Laufer, M., Leiser, A., Deacon, B., Perrin de Brichambaut, P., Fecher, B., Kobsda, C., & Hesse, F. (2021). Digital higher education: A divider or bridge builder? Leadership perspectives on edtech in a COVID-19 reality. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-021-00287-6
- Liyanagunawardena, T. R., Adams, A. A., & Williams, S. A. (2013). MOOCs: A systematic study of the published literature 2008–2012. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 14(3), 202–227. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v14i3.1455
- Luo, R., & Ye, Z. (2021). What makes a good-quality language MOOC? An empirical study of criteria to evaluate the quality of online language courses from learners’ perspectives. ReCALL, 33(2), 177–192. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344021000082
- MacDonald, M. (2015). The battle for open by Martin Weller. Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice, 3(1), 128. https://doi.org/10.14297/jpaap.v3i1.139
- Margaryan, A., Bianco, M., & Littlejohn, A. (2015). Instructional quality of massive open online courses (MOOCs). Computers & Education, 80, 77–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.08.005
- Martín-Martín, A., Thelwall, M., Orduna-Malea, E., & Delgado López-Cózar, E. (2021). Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic, Scopus, Dimensions, Web of Science, and OpenCitations’ COCI: A multidisciplinary comparison of coverage via citations. Scientometrics, 126(1), 871–906. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-020-03690-4
- McGowan, V. (2020). Institution initiatives and support related to faculty development of open educational resources and alternative textbooks. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 35(1), 24–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680513.2018.1562328
- Mejia, C., Wu, M., Zhang, Y., & Kajikawa, Y. (2021). Exploring topics in bibliometric research through citation networks and semantic analysis. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 6, 742311. https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2021.742311
- Mishra, M., Dash, M. K., Sudarsan, D., Santos, C. A. G., Mishra, S. K., Kar, D., Bhat, I. A., Panda, B. K., Sethy, M., & da Silva, R. M. (2022). Assessment of trend and current pattern of open educational resources: A bibliometric analysis. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 48(3), 102520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2022.102520
- Mishra, S. (2017). Open educational resources: Removing barriers from within. Distance Education, 38(3), 369–380. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2017.1369350
- Nascimbeni, F., & Burgos, D. (2016). In search for the open educator: Proposal of a definition and a framework to increase openness adoption among university educators. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 17(6), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v17i6.2736
- Ngoasong, M. Z. (2021). Curriculum adaptation for blended learning in resource-scarce contexts. Journal of Management Education, 46(4), 622–655. https://doi.org/10.1177/10525629211047168
- O’Dwyer, M., Filieri, R., & O’Malley, L. (2023). Establishing successful university–industry collaborations: Barriers and enablers deconstructed. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 48(3), 900–931. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-022-09932-2
- Paskevicius, M. (2017). Conceptualizing open educational practices through the lens of constructive alignment. Open Praxis, 9(2), 125–140. https://doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.9.2.519
- Peter, S., & Deimann, M. (2013). On the role of openness in education: A historical reconstruction. Open Praxis, 5(1), 7–14. https://dx.doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.5.1.23
- Petrides, L., Jimes, C., Middleton‐Detzner, C., Walling, J., & Weiss, S. (2011). Open textbook adoption and use: Implications for teachers and learners. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 26(1), 39–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680513.2011.538563
- Poce, A., Amenduni, F., Re, M., & De Medio, C. (2020). Assessing a MOOC users experience in a virtual mobility project: Preliminary results for quality enhancement. Italian Journal of Educational Technology, 28(1), 62–76. https://doi.org/10.17471/2499-4324/1126
- Pranckute, R. (2021). Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus: The titans of bibliographic information in today’s academic world. Publications, 9(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/publications9010012
- Ramirez-Montoya, M. S. (2020). Challenges for open education with educational innovation: A systematic literature review. Sustainability, 12(17), 7053. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177053
- Rolfe, V. (2012). Open educational resources: Staff attitudes and awareness. Research in Learning Technology, 20(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v20i0.14395
- Sangster, A., Stoner, G., & Flood, B. (2020). Insights into accounting education in a COVID-19 world. Accounting Education, 29(5), 431–562. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2020.1808487
- Shah, V., Murthy, S., & Iyer, S. (2023). Is my MOOC learner-centric? A framework for formative evaluation of MOOC pedagogy. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 24(2), 138–161. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v24i2.6898
- Shareefa, M., Moosa, V., Hammad, A., Zuhudha, A., & Wider, W. (2023). Open education practices: A meta-synthesis of literature. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1121739. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1121739
- Stracke, C. M., Downes, S., Conole, G., Burgos, D., & Nascimbeni, F. (2019). Are MOOCs open educational resources? A literature review on history, definitions and typologies of OER and MOOCs. Open Praxis, 11(4), 331–341. https://doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.11.4.1010
- Tlili, A., Altinay, F., Huang, R., Altinay, Z., Olivier, J., Mishra, S., Jemni, M., & Burgos, D. (2022). Are we there yet? A systematic literature review of open educational resources in Africa: A combined content and bibliometric analysis. PLoS One, 17(1), e0262615. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262615
- Tlili, A., Nascimbeni, F., Burgos, D., Zhang, X., Huang, R., & Chang, T. W. (2023). The evolution of sustainability models for open educational resources: Insights from the literature and experts. Interactive Learning Environments, 31(3), 1421–1436. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2020.1839507
- Tuomi, I. (2013). Open educational resources and the transformation of education. European Journal of Education, 48(1), 58–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12019
- UNESCO. (2023). Global education monitoring report summary 2023: Technology in education: A tool on whose terms? Paris: UNESCO. https://doi.org/10.54676/HABJ1624
- Vygotsky, L. S., & Cole, M. (1978). Mind in society: Development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvjf9vz4
- Weller, M. (2020). Open and free access to education for all. In D. Burgos (Ed.), Radical solutions and open science: An open approach to boost higher education (pp. 1–15). Springer.
- Weller, M., Jordan, K., DeVries, I., & Rolfe, V. (2018). Mapping the open education landscape: Citation network analysis of historical open and distance education research. Open Praxis, 10(2), 109–126. https://doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.10.2.822
- Wider, W., Jiang, L., Lin, J., Fauzi, M. A., Li, J., & Chan, C. K. (2024a). Metaverse chronicles: A bibliometric analysis of its evolving landscape. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 40(17), 4873–4886. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2023.2227825
- Wider, W., Ping Pang, N. T., Lin, J., Fauzi, M. A., Jiang, L., & Tanucan, J. C. M. (2024b). Bibliometric mapping of psychological flexibility research: Trends and future directions. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 131(4), 1207–1232. https://doi.org/10.1177/00315125241253946
- Wiley, D. (2014, March 5). The access compromise and the 5th R [Blog post]. Iterating Toward Openness. Retrieved from https://opencontent.org/blog/archives/3221
- Wiley, D., & Hilton, J. L., III. (2018). Defining OER-enabled pedagogy. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 19(4), 133–147. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v19i4.3601
- Wolfenden, F., & Adinolfi, L. (2019). An exploration of agency in the localisation of open educational resources for teacher development. Learning, Media and Technology, 44(3), 327–344. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439884.2019.1628046
- Yan, L., & Zhiping, W. (2023). Mapping the literature on academic publishing: A bibliometric analysis on WOS. Sage Open, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231158562
- Yang, M., Wider, W., Xiao, S., Jiang, L., Fauzi, M. A., & Lee, A. (2024). Unveiling current and future trends in customer banking experience research: A bibliometric analysis. Kybernetes. Ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/k-11-2023-2251
- Zawacki-Richter, O., Conrad, D., Bozkurt, A., Aydin, C. H., Bedenlier, S., Jung, I., Stoter, J., Veletsianos, G., Blaschke, L. M., Bond, M., Broens, A., Bruhn, E., Dolch, C., Kalz, M., Kondakci, Y., Marin, V., Mayrberger, K., Muskens, W., Naidu, S., ... Kerres, M. (2020). Elements of open education: An invitation to future research. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 21(3), 319–334. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v21i3.4659
- Zhang, K., Bonk, C. J., Reeves, T. C., & Reynolds, T. H. (Eds.). (2019). MOOCs and open education in the Global South: Challenges, successes, and opportunities. Routledge.
- Zhang, L., Wider, W., Fauzi, M. A., Jiang, L., Tanucan, J. C. M., & Udang, L. N. (2024). Psychological capital research in HEIs: Bibliometric analysis of current and future trends. Heliyon, 10(4), e26607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26607
- Zhao, X., Wider, W., Jiang, L., Fauzi, M. A., Tanucan, J. C. M., Lin, J., & Udang, L. N. (2024). Transforming higher education institutions through EDI leadership: A bibliometric exploration. Heliyon, 10(4), e26241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26241