Investigation of Studies on Micro-credentials by Bibliometric Analysis Method

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 33 Sayı: 4, 753 - 767, 11.10.2025

Akça Okan Yüksel

https://doi.org/10.24106/kefdergi.1795795

Öz

Purpose: The aim of the study is to reveal the trend of micro-credential studies conducted at the higher education level and to present a general framework on micro-credentials.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Bibliometric analysis method was used in the study. Web of Science (WOS) database, which is a widely used and reliable data source in literature searches, was preferred to search the articles. The search criteria were limited to articles with title, abstract and keywords. For this purpose, the Web of Science database was searched with the keywords 'micro-credentials' and 'micro credential'. 85 papers are identified and included in the analysis.
Findings: The keyword analysis revealed that micro-credentials have strong links with higher education, digital badges, employment and lifelong learning. At the same time, the most cited countries and researchers were mostly from countries such as the USA, Australia and Canada. The co-occurrence analysis of keywords unveils five clusters representing trends in micro-competencies and employability, learning and skills, distance learning, digitalization and technology, quality assurance and sustainability.
Highlights: In conclusion, micro-credentials are becoming increasingly important as a flexible and innovative learning model that responds to the needs of modern education systems and labor markets.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Micro-credentials , Higher Education , Digital badget , Bibliometric analysis

Mikro Yeterlikler ile İlgili Yapılmış Çalışmaların Bibliyometrik Analiz Yöntemiyle İncelenmesi

Öz

Çalışmanın amacı: Çalışmanın amacı, yükseköğretim düzeyinde mikro yeterlikler üzerine yapılmış çalışmaların eğilimini ortaya koymak ve mikro yeterliklere ilişkin genel bir çerçeve sunmaktır.
Materyal ve Yöntem: Çalışmada bibliyometrik analiz yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Makalelerin taranmasında literatür taramalarında yaygın olarak kullanılan ve güvenilir bir veri kaynağı olan Web of Science (WOS) veri tabanı tercih edilmiştir. Arama kriterleri başlık, özet ve anahtar kelimelerin yer aldığı makalelerle sınırlandırılmıştır. Bu amaçla Web of Science veri tabanında 'micro-credentials' ve 'micro credential' anahtar kelimeleri ile arama yapılmıştır. Arama sonucunda, 85 makale tespit edilmiş ve analize dahil edilmiştir.
Bulgular: Yapılan analizler sonucunda, anahtar kelime analizi mikro yeterlikler kavramının yüksek öğrenim, dijital rozetler, istihdam ve yaşam boyu öğrenme ile güçlü bağlantıları olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Aynı zamanda, en çok atıfta bulunulan ülkeler ve araştırmacılar çoğunlukla ABD, Avustralya ve Kanada gibi ülkelerden olmuştur. Anahtar kelimelerin birlikte ortaya çıkma analizi, mikro yeterlilikler ve istihdam edilebilirlik, öğrenme ve beceriler, uzaktan eğitim, dijitalleşme ve teknoloji, kalite güvencesi ve sürdürülebilirlik alanlarındaki eğilimleri temsil eden beş kümeyi ortaya çıkarmıştır.
Önemli Vurgular: Sonuç olarak, mikro yeterlikler modern eğitim sistemlerinin ve işgücü piyasalarının ihtiyaçlarına cevap veren esnek ve yenilikçi bir öğrenme modeli olarak giderek daha önemli hale gelmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Mikro yeterlikler , Yüksek öğretim , Dijital rozet , Bibliyometrik analiz

Kaynakça

• Ahmat, N. H. C., Bashir, M. A. A., Razali, A. R., & Kasolang, S. (2021). Micro-credentials in higher education institutions: Challenges and opportunities. Asian Journal of University Education, 17(3), 281-290.
• Ali, S. A., & Khan, R. (2023). Harnessing the digital nature of Micro-Credentials in Higher Education. International Journal of Education and Teaching, 3(1), 58-66.
• Asatani, K., Mori, J., Ochi, M., & Sakata, I. (2018). Detecting trends in academic research from a citation network using network representation learning. PloS ONE, 13(5), e0197260. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197260
• Berry, B., Airhart, K. M., & Byrd, P. A. (2016). Microcredentials: Teacher learning transformed. Phi Delta Kappan, 98(3), 34-40.
• Bozkurt, A., & Brown, M. (2022). Microcredentials: Stackable, combinable, or transferable qualifications. In EdTechnica: The Open Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. EdTech Books. https://edtechbooks.org/encyclopedia/microcredentials
• Çelik, G. & Torak, E. (2024). Mikro Yeterliliklerin Kredilendirilmesinde Kalite Güvencesi ve Akreditasyon Konusunda Öne Çıkan Yaklaşımlar ve Gelecek Senaryoları. 4th International Conference on Educational Technology and Online Learning – ICETOL 2024, 566-573, Balıkesir, Türkiye.
• Chien, B. C., & Lin, K. Y. (2018, July). Analysis of retrieving publications with multiple citation networks. In Proceedings of the 5th Multidisciplinary International Social Networks Conference (pp. 1-6).
• Cowie, N., & Sakui, K. (2021). Micro-credentials. Pacific Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 3(1), 27-28.
• Dehdarirad, T., & Nasini, S. (2017). Research impact in co-authorship networks: A two-mode analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(2), 371-388.
• Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285-296.
• Du, Z., Wang, X., Ma, H., & Liang, D. (2015, November). Research on Self-regulated Learning Platform based on Massive Micro-Lessons. In 2015 International Conference on Social Science, Education Management and Sports Education (pp. 1275-1278). Atlantis Press.
• Duvvuru, A., Radhakrishnan, S., More, D., Kamarthi, S., & Sultornsanee, S. (2013). Analyzing structural & temporal characteristics of keyword system in academic research articles. Procedia Computer Science, 20, 439-445.
• Epstein, J., Eirich, J., & Wildesen, J. (2024). Engaging teacher’s mental health self-care early through a trauma-informed microcredential. School-University Partnerships, 17(2), 153-169.
• Fitzgerald, R., Huijser, H., Umarova, A., & Adachi, C. (2022). Reconnecting lifelong learners through short courses and microcredentials designed with industry partners. ASCILITE Publications, e22141-e22141.
• Ganguly, S. (2019). Exploiting Textual Content in Academic Citation Networks (Doctoral dissertation). International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad.
• Gregg, A., Park, J., Fenton, C., Lang, D., & Handley, M. (2022, October). Exploring the “Why” of Micro-Credentials and Digital Badges: Engineering Students’ Motivations for and Perceived Utility of Learning Outside of Class. In 2022 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) (pp. 1-7). IEEE.
• Hanafy, A. (2020). Features and Affordances of Micro-Credential: Platforms in Higher Education (Master Thesis). Tampere University, Finland.
• Henrique, B. M., Sobreiro, V. A., & Kimura, H. (2018). Building direct citation networks. Scientometrics, 115, 817-832.
• Jeong, Y. K., Song, M., & Ding, Y. (2014). Content-based author co-citation analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 8(1), 197-211.
• Jung, S., & Segev, A. (2013, October). Analyzing future communities in growing citation networks. In Proceedings of the 2013 international workshop on mining unstructured big data using natural language processing (pp. 15-22).
• Kayyali, M. (2025). Defining Micro-Credentials: Concepts, Theories, and Pedagogies. In Navigating Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Global Higher Education (pp. 219-246). IGI Global Scientific Publishing.
• Keoy, K. H., Iqbal, J., Ho, M. C., Ooi, P. B., Anjum, S. S., Koh, Y. J., ... & Lillian, S. Y. K. (2023, July). Preliminary Exploratory Study: Are HEPs Ready for Communication & Multimedia Micro Credentials Adoption in Malaysia?. In 2023 International Conference on Digital Applications, Transformation & Economy (ICDATE) (pp. 1-5). IEEE.
• Kır, Ş., & Bozkurt, A. (2022). Yükseköğretimde Mikro-Krediler Üzerine Kavramsal Bir Değerlendirme. Uşak Üniversitesi Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 8(1), 12-29.
• Kukkonen, A. (2021). The value of microcredentials for higher education students (Unpublished Doctoral dissertation). Tampere University, Tampere.
• McGreal, R. (2023). Blockchain and Micro-Credentials in Education. International Journal of E-Learning & Distance Education, 38(1), 1-17.
• McGreal, R., & Olcott, D. (2022). A strategic reset: Micro-credentials for higher education leaders. Smart Learning Environments, 9(1), 9.
• McLaren, C. D., & Bruner, M. W. (2022). Citation network analysis. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 15(1), 179-198.
• Murgatroyd, S. (2022). “Reinventing” Higher Education–Rhetoric versus Reality in a Post-Pandemic World. Revista Paraguaya de Educación a Distancia (REPED), 3(2), 48-57.
• Narayanaswamy, R., Albers, C. S., Knotts, T. L., & Albers, N. D. (2024). Sustaining and Reinforcing the Perceived Value of Higher Education: E-Learning with Micro-Credentials. Sustainability, 16(20), 8860.
• Orman, R., Şi̇mşek, E., & Çakır, M. A. K. (2023). Micro-credentials and reflections on higher education. Higher Education Evaluation and Development, 17(2), 96-112.
• Page, M. J., Moher, D., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., ... & McKenzie, J. E. (2021). PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration: updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372:n71.
• Phelan, S. E., & Glackin, C. E. (2021). A cautionary note on microcredentialing in entrepreneurship education. Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy, 4(3), 261-281.
• Pickard, L., Shah, D., & De Simone, J. J. (2018, September). Mapping microcredentials across MOOC platforms. In 2018 learning with MOOCS (LWMOOCS) (pp. 17-21). IEEE.
• Pirkkalainen, H., Sood, I., Padron Napoles, C., Kukkonen, A., & Camilleri, A. (2023). How might micro-credentials influence institutions and empower learners in higher education?. Educational Research, 65(1), 40-63.
• Raj, R., Singh, A., Kumar, V., & Verma, P. (2024). Achieving professional qualifications using micro-credentials: a case of small packages and big challenges in higher education. International Journal of Educational Management, 38(4), 916-947.
• Rižnar, I. (2023). Navigating micro-credentials: An analysis of student needs, perceptions and skills development at a Slovenian university. E-mentor, 101(4), 63-70.
• Sadatmoosavi, A., Nooshinfard, F., Hariri, N., & Esmaeil, S. M. (2018). Does the superior position of countries in co-authorship networks lead to their high citation performance. Malaysian Journal of Library and Information Science, 23(1), 51-65.
• Salmon, M. (2023). Drivers of the global push for microcredentials in higher education: Flexibility and employability in contemporary university systems. Perspectives: Policy and Practice in Higher Education, 27(4), 179-187.
• Sargent, J., Rienties, B., Perryman, L. A., & FitzGerald, E. (2023). Investigating the Views and Use of Stackable Microcredentials within a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice. Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2023(1), 1-12.
• Savić, M., Ivanović, M., Jain, L. C., Savić, M., Ivanović, M., & Jain, L. C. (2019). Co-authorship networks: an introduction. Complex networks in software, knowledge, and social systems, 179-192.
• Schultz, C. (2024). Experiences of microcredentials in Canada: perspectives, possibilities, and a case for national data collection. International Review of Applied Economics, 38(4), 410-421.
• Tan, K. T., Chan, J. I. L., Arumugam, P. V., & Lee, H. W. (2024). Closıng The Talent Gap: A Proposed Mıcro-Credentıal Model In Malaysıan Formal Educatıon. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 25(4), 67-80.
• Teksöz, G. (2014). Geçmişten ders almak: Sürdürülebilir kalkınma için eğitim. Bogazici University Journal of Education, 31(2), 73-97.
• Van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2014). Visualizing bibliometric networks. In Measuring scholarly impact: Methods and practice (pp. 285-320). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
• Ward, R., Crick, T., Hanna, P., Hayes, A., Irons, A., Miller, K., ... & Walters, J. (2023). Using skills profiling to enable badges and micro-credentials to be incorporated into higher education courses. Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2023(1), 1-22.
• Winne, P. (2016). Self-regulated learning. SFU Educational Review, 9, 535-540. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.25091-5
• Yang, Z., & Zhu, C. (2015, October). Determine the Influence of Academic Research Base on Social network analysis. In 2015 3rd International Conference on Mechatronics and Industrial Informatics (ICMII 2015) (pp. 740-744). Atlantis Press.
• Zhao, D., & Strotmann, A. (2015). Analysis and visualization of citation networks. Morgan & Claypool Publishers.
• Zhu, X. P., & Ban, Z. (2018, May). Citation count prediction based on academic network features. In 32nd international conference on advanced information networking and applications (AINA) (pp. 534-541). IEEE.