Artificial Intelligence in Applied Linguistics Research: A Bibliometric Study Tracing Between the Years of 2017 and 2024

Year 2025, Issue: 58, 141 - 152, 08.09.2025

Zafer Susoy , Elham Zarfsaz

https://doi.org/10.33418/education.1572636

Abstract

Objectives
Drawn upon data from 117 full-length research articles from 19 Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)-indexed journals of applied linguistics, the current study presents a bibliometric analysis of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field from 2017 to 2024. It examines various aspects, including the most frequently discussed topics, the most highly cited publications, the countries and institutions' contributions, and the shifts in citation trends locally and globally.
Methods
The study employed bibliometric techniques to analyze publication trends, citation patterns, and thematic focuses across SSCI-indexed applied linguistics journals, covering the period between 2017 and 2024. Results The results show that there has been a substantial increase in the number of applied linguistics studies discussing AI and their citations since 2021. As for the country-based analysis, China is the leading country in single-country publications; however, in the multi-country publications, the USA is taking the lead, followed by the UK. Frequently discussed topics such as ChatGPT, language learning, student performance, and automated assessment and feedback indicate intense research on applying AI to enhance language learning and assessment. Furthermore, keywords such as "machine learning," "chatbots," "NLP," and "large language model" form another cluster, showcasing the various AI technologies employed in applied linguistics.
Conclusion
Overall, these trends underscore a robust and evolving intersection of technology and education, suggesting that future research may further illuminate the transformative potential of AI in language acquisition and pedagogy.

Keywords

Applied linguistics , artificial intelligence , language learning , bibliometrics

Uygulamalı Dilbilim Araştırmalarında Yapay Zeka: 2017-2024 Yılları Arasında Bir Bibliyometrik Çalışma

Abstract

Amaçlar
Uygulamalı dilbilim alanında 19 Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) kapsamındaki dergilerde yayımlanmış 117 tam metin araştırma makalesinden elde edilen veriler doğrultusunda, bu çalışma 2017–2024 yılları arasında yapay zekâ (YZ) kullanımına ilişkin bibliyometrik bir analiz sunmaktadır. Çalışmada en sık tartışılan konular, en çok atıf alan yayınlar, ülkeler ve kurumların katkıları ile atıf eğilimlerindeki yerel ve küresel değişimler ele alınmaktadır.
Yöntemler
Çalışmada, 2017–2024 yılları arasını kapsayacak şekilde SSCI kapsamındaki uygulamalı dilbilim dergilerinde yayımlanan makalelerin yayın eğilimlerini, atıf örüntülerini ve tematik odaklarını incelemek için bibliyometrik teknikler kullanılmıştır.
Bulgular
Sonuçlar, 2021 yılından itibaren yapay zekâ üzerine yapılan uygulamalı dilbilim çalışmalarının sayısında ve bu çalışmalara yapılan atıflarda önemli bir artış olduğunu göstermektedir. Ülke bazlı analizde Çin, tek ülkeli yayınlarda önde gelirken; çok ülkeli yayınlarda ABD liderliği üstlenmekte, onu Birleşik Krallık takip etmektedir. ChatGPT, dil öğrenimi, öğrenci performansı, otomatik değerlendirme ve geri bildirim gibi sık tartışılan konular, yapay zekânın dil öğrenimi ve ölçme-değerlendirmeyi geliştirmek için yoğun biçimde araştırıldığını göstermektedir. Ayrıca, “makine öğrenmesi”, “chatbotlar”, “NLP” ve “büyük dil modeli” gibi anahtar kelimeler başka bir kümelenme oluşturarak uygulamalı dilbilimde kullanılan çeşitli YZ teknolojilerini ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

Uygulamalı dilbilim , yapay zeka , dil öğrenimi , bibliyometri

Ethical Statement

Çalışma bir biblliometre çalışması olduğu için etik kurul iznine ihtiyaç kalmamıştır.

Supporting Institution

Yok

Thanks

Yok

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