Research topics, author profiles, and collaboration networks in the top-ranked journal on educational technology over the past 40 years: a bibliometric analysis

Targeted at analyzing the research status and trends of the educational technology field, this study conducted a bibliometric analysis on research topics, author profiles, and collaboration networks using a top-ranked journal Computers & Education (ISSN: 0360-1315). Using the Web of Sciences database, we retrieved 3963 articles published by the journal during the period 1978–2018. The annual distribution of articles demonstrates a significant increase in the journal publications, especially from 2005 to 2011. The scientific collaboration between authors, institutions, and countries/regions has become increasingly close. The scientific collaboration rate between authors from the same institution, and from the same country/region, is relatively higher compared with those from different institutions and countries/regions. Keyword evolution analysis highlights some prevalent topics such as “interactive learning environment,” “teaching/learning strategies,” “pedagogical issue,” and “improving classroom teaching.” Findings of this study provide a comprehensive overview of the articles on educational technology over the past 40 years.