Mapping Research Trends in Catholic Religious Education: Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

FR Wuriningsih*, Soesanto, YL Sukestiyarno and Titi Prihatin

To understand developments and trends in Catholic Religious Education research, this article presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis. The analysis was conducted between 2013 and 2023 using data from the Scopus database, with 579 documents identified. The results of this analysis reveal a significant growth trend in the number of publications related to Catholic Religious Education, reflecting the growing interest in this discipline. Countries such as the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom played an important role in the contribution of this research. In addition, keywords that often appear in the literature involve basic concepts such as "religion," "education," "Catholicism," "religiosity," and "spirituality." International collaboration has also proven to be a hallmark in Catholic Religious Education research, illustrating the global nature of Catholic religious education and the cooperation between countries active in developing a global understanding of the discipline. This article not only provides a comprehensive mapping of research trends in Catholic religious education, but also identifies important implications for further research, curriculum development, and policymaking in Catholic religious education. As such, this bibliometric analysis provides valuable guidance for researchers, education practitioners, policymakers, and all those interested in developing Catholic religious education that is relevant and grounded in strong values in the context of a changing society.