Trends and patterns in blended learning research (1965-2022).

Area of Science:

• Education
• Computer Science
• Medicine
• Engineering

Background:

• Blended learning (BL), combining online and face-to-face education, has gained prominence, especially post-pandemic.
• While content analyses exist, comprehensive bibliometric reviews mapping BL research trends are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically analyze global blended learning studies using bibliometric methods.
• To reveal overarching research trends and the scientific landscape of blended learning.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 4,059 publications from the Scopus database (1965-2022).
• Utilized VOSviewer and Leximancer software for data analysis.
• Examined publications by year, subject, funding, citations, journal, country, and common terms.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in BL studies observed since 2006.
• Social sciences, computer science, medicine, and engineering are dominant subject areas.
• The USA, UK, China, and Australia are the most cited countries in BL research.
• Common themes include pandemic technology use, online learning environments, learner characteristics, and medical education.

Conclusions:

• Blended learning research has expanded significantly, particularly in recent years.
• Key research focuses on technology integration, online learning, and specific educational contexts like medicine.
• The bibliometric approach provides a valuable overview of the global BL research landscape.