TITLE:
Mapping the Knowledge Domain of Meta-Analysis Used in SLA Research: A Scientometric Review (2000-2022)
AUTHORS:
Fang Xu, Rongping Cao
KEYWORDS:
Knowledge Domain, Scientometric Review, Meta-Analysis, Second Language Research, Citespace, Emerging Trends, Hotspots
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.10 No.11,
October
28,
2022
ABSTRACT: The study examined intellectual domains of
meta-analysis used in SLA research based on Chinese core journals and English
peer-reviewed journals from 2000 to 2022. Two datasets were created via CSSCI
and Web of Science (WoS): 1) a Chinese dataset of core Linguistic and
educational journals comprising 50 articles, and 2) a WoS dataset of 167
articles published in the reputed journals within registers of Linguistics and
educational research. It employed document co-citation analysis (DCA) and
author co-citation analysis (ACA) to capture the underlying intellectual structure
and characterize distinct clusters in the WoS dataset. Co-word analysis and
burst detection were adopted to discern the research trends, frontiers, and
hotspots displayed in the two datasets. Results show that the WoS dataset
focuses on the research topics: L2 instruction, corrective feedback, computer-mediated
communication, self-motivation, and L2
writing with papers about procedures or amendments to meta-analysis as
the knowledge base. The author intellectual groups categorized under specific
contexts demonstrate a profound influence. Keywords captured in the WoS dataset
can be mainly grouped into three types: research
subjects, research topics, and terminologies relevant to meta-analysis.
In contrast, research topics and terms related to meta-analysis are the
dominant lexical chunks in the Chinese dataset. The emerging research spots,
individual factors, language achievements, and knowledge maps provide
directions for future research.