Bibliometric Mapping of Global Metaverse Research: Trends, Thematic Focuses, and Future Directions

Yıl 2025, Sayı: 4, 30 - 49, 09.01.2026

Faruk Dursun

https://doi.org/10.26650/JODA.1778427

https://izlik.org/JA77JX53XS

Öz

This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to map global academic production related to the concept of the metaverse. Using the Scopus database, 4,365 article-type publications containing the keyword “metaverse” were identified as of 15 August 2025. The analysis was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, publication trends by year, country, and discipline were examined using descriptive bibliometric indicators. In the second stage, author–institution–country collaborations and keyword co-occurrence networks were visualised using VOSviewer 1.6.20, and thematic structures were analysed.

Unlike previous bibliometric studies that focused on limited datasets or narrow domains such as education, healthcare, or blockchain, this study offers a holistic and interdisciplinary mapping of metaverse research across all disciplines from 2010 to 2025.

The results indicate a sharp acceleration in research output after 2020, driven by digital transformation and the COVID-19 pandemic. China, the United States, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and India dominate global production and citation networks, while emerging contributions from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Turkey illustrate the growing global diffusion of metaverse studies. Keyword analysis revealed five major thematic clusters: (1) immersive and extended reality technologies, (2) artificial intelligence and intelligent systems, (3) blockchain and digital economies, (4) education and learning innovation, and (5) ethics, privacy, and user experience.

By systematically integrating the technological, social, and economic dimensions of the metaverse, this study contributes to understanding how the field has evolved into an interdisciplinary socio-technical paradigm. It also provides a benchmark for future research directions and crossdisciplinary collaboration.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Metaverse , Bibliometric Analysis , Network Analysis , Interdisciplinary Research , Digital Transformation

Kaynakça

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