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Blended learning trends and future directions: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis

Buddhini Amarathunga

International Journal of Information and Learning Technology2025https://doi.org/10.1108/ijilt-04-2024-0072article
ABDC C
Weight
0.44

What the paper says

Purpose The current study intended to conceptually and technically examine the literature on blended learning (BL) utilising a dual-focused approach with systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. This study intends to address eight different research problem areas.: (1) the descriptive features of the retrieved empirical studies on BL, (2) the tendencies of the annual scientific production and the thematic evolution of BL, (3) the most relevant and high-impact sources in the field of BL, (4) how sources are clustering through Bradford’s Law of Scattering, (5) the most cited articles on BL, (6) the most relevant countries for BL, (7) the authors’ productivity through Lotka’s Law of Authors’ Scientific Productivity and (8) the trending research themes for future investigations in the field of BL. Design/methodology/approach The current study analysed 5,809 articles extracted from the Scopus database through the systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis mapping approaches. The two primary tools used in the analysis were VOSviewer and Biblioshiny. Findings The results suggest that BL is a subject discipline that is growing progressively, with a remarkable 8.3% yearly growth in scientific output from 2000 to 2023 (October). Online teaching, e-learning, flipped classrooms, distance education, interactive learning environments, asynchronous learning, curriculum, computer-assisted instructions and online learning are the trending themes in the discipline of BL based on the keyword co-occurrence analysis and trend topic analysis. Moreover, motivation, self-regulated learning, flipped learning, self-efficacy, collaborative learning, simulation and social media themes are suggested future directions for further investigations on BL, according to the thematic map of keywords analysis. Originality/value The present study offers an extensive literature evaluation, which advances the BL conversation. The outcomes of this research are important for students, educators, legislators, regulators in the field of education and higher education and the community worldwide.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/ijilt-04-2024-0072

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@article{buddhini2025,
  title        = {{Blended learning trends and future directions: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis}},
  author       = {Buddhini Amarathunga},
  journal      = {International Journal of Information and Learning Technology},
  year         = {2025},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/ijilt-04-2024-0072},
}

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Blended learning trends and future directions: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis

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Evidence weight

0.44

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.32 × 0.4 = 0.13
M · momentum0.57 × 0.15 = 0.09
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.