Global Trends on Mobile Learning in Higher Education: A Bibliometric Analysis (2002–2022)

Abstract

This study explores the research landscape of mobile learning in the context of higher education (MLHE) by conducting a comprehensive bibliometric analysis over the years. A total of 2477 papers published in peer-reviewed journals and conferences up to May 2022 were retrieved from the Scopus database. The results revealed an increase in MLHE research over time with a peak in 2021. The first paper was published in 2002, indicating the beginning of the field. The works of J. Gikas and M. M. Grant, L. F. Motiwalla, and J. Cheon et al. stand out as the most cited articles among the analyzed documents. T. Cochrane, F. J. García-Peñalvo, and H. Farley are the most prolific authors. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, and International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation are the most productive sources. University of Salamanca, Science University of Malaysia (Universiti Sains Malaysia), and the University of Southern Queensland are the most active institutions. China, the US, and the UK are the most relevant countries. Keywords such as “mobile learning”, “m-learning”, “higher education”, “e-learning”, and “mobile devices” remain the trending keywords in this area. This review offers a comprehensive overview of scientific production and the future direction of the field.