A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS ON GAMIFICATION RESEARCH IN EDUCATION

This study presents bibliometric analysis of gamification research in the field of education.

Drawing on data from the Web of Science Core Collection, it analyzes 2,138 publications and

conducts a detailed thematic review of 24 highly cited articles. Using tools such as VOSviewer,

CiteSpace, and BibExcel, the study identifies key trends in publication and citation growth,

author collaborations, and conceptual developments from 2012 to 2025. The findings reveal a

significant increase in gamification-related educational research since 2015, with higher

education and digital game-based learning emerging as dominant themes. Co-citation and

keyword cluster analyses highlight a clear distinction between theoretical frameworks and

empirical investigations, while institutional and country-level data underscore the global and

interdisciplinary nature of the field. Overall, the study offers an integrated view of the structural

and conceptual evolution of gamification in education and provides a robust foundation to guide

future research, policy development, and pedagogical innovation.