Comparing the Research Landscapes of Two Educational Research Institutions in Asia: A Preliminary Analysis of Journal Submissions, Author Keywords, and ERIC Categories

Abstract

Background. Educational research landscapes are dynamic, influencing institutional strategies and collaboration opportunities. This study examined the research paper publishing patterns at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore, and the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), aiming to discern shared and unique research interests. Method. Using bibliometric techniques, we analyzed 3,403 bibliographic records downloaded from the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection linked to the category ‘Education/Educational Research’. Our multi-pronged approach involved: 1. Descriptive statistics of journal submissions (1987-2022); 2. Qualitative analysis of the top 10 shared keywords across all years; 3. Classification of 342 papers from 2020-2022 using Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) thesaurus. Results. Both institutions have seen growth in research outputs, aligning with global trends. NIE displays greater publishing diversity, while NTNU has a concentrated approach to specific journals. Both institutions share an emphasis on the nexus of education and technology, yet possess distinct journal preferences suggesting collaboration opportunities and differing priorities. Although their keyword usage mirrors global educational themes, regional deviations such as the underemphasis on "Human Capital" and "Gender" are apparent. As per ERIC categories, both prioritize "Classroom Perspectives": NIE showcasing a more specialized approach and NTNU displaying varied interests. Implications. Collectively, these findings underscore that while NIE and NTNU resonate with global research trends, they also carve unique research paths shaped by their specific socio-cultural and institutional contexts.