Review article    |    Open Access
Journal of Innovative Research in Teacher Education 2025, Vol. 6(3) 129-142

Trends of augmented reality studies in education: a bibliometric evaluation

Nai̇l Deği̇rmenci̇, Turhan Çetin, Yusuf İnel

pp. 129 - 142

Publish Date: December 23, 2025  |   Single/Total View: 0/0   |   Single/Total Download: 0/0


Abstract

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that enhances user experiences by overlaying digital elements onto real-world objects or environments through technological devices, enabling interactive learning, especially in education. This study aims to analyze current trends, structural features, and interaction networks of 7,534 scientific studies published on AR technology in the education field, pulled from five databases: WoS, Scopus, Lens, PubMed, and OpenAlex. The results show that AR research in education has gained significant momentum, particularly since 2016, with an annual growth rate of 27.04%. The field demonstrates a strong culture of collaboration, with an average of 4.09 co-authors per study. The prominence of Asian authors such as Wang Y., Chen Y., and Chen C. among the most prolific researchers indicates a clear geographical concentration of research, while very limited international collaboration was observed between Southeast Asia and clusters in Europe and the Americas. The most cited studies focus on the 2009-2018 period. Additionally, “Education and Information Technologies” was the leading journal in terms of publications, while “Computers & Education” was the most influential. Keyword co-occurrence analysis highlights that AR research is centered around technology, interdisciplinary backgrounds (such as computer science, psychology, and artificial intelligence), and human-centered pedagogical outcomes. Trending topics reveal that the focus has shifted toward specific learning approaches like “psychology” and “young adult.” Despite AR's transformative potential, accessibility challenges remain, including limited availability of mobile devices and insufficient teacher training.

Keywords: R-Studio, Data Visualization, Bibliometric Analysis, Augmented Reality, Education


How to Cite this Article?

APA 7th edition
Degi̇rmenci̇, N., Cetin, T., & Inel, Y. (2025). Trends of augmented reality studies in education: a bibliometric evaluation. Journal of Innovative Research in Teacher Education, 6(3), 129-142.

Harvard
Degi̇rmenci̇, N., Cetin, T. and Inel, Y. (2025). Trends of augmented reality studies in education: a bibliometric evaluation. Journal of Innovative Research in Teacher Education, 6(3), pp. 129-142.

Chicago 16th edition
Degi̇rmenci̇, Nai̇l, Turhan Cetin and Yusuf Inel (2025). "Trends of augmented reality studies in education: a bibliometric evaluation". Journal of Innovative Research in Teacher Education 6 (3):129-142.

References

    Akcayir, M., & Akcayir, G. (2017). Advantages and challenges associated with augmented reality for education: A systematic review of the literature. Educational Research Review, 20, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2016.11.002

    Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). Bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959–975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007

    Azı, F. B., & Gündüz, Ş. (2020). Effects of augmented reality applications on academic success and course attitudes in social studies. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 8(4), 27-32. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v8i4.3300

    Azuma, R. T. (1997). A Survey of Augmented Reality. Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 6(4), 355 385. https://doi.org/10.1162/pres.1997.6.4.355

    Belmonte, J.L., Guerrero, A.J., Núñez, J.A., & Hinojo-Lucena, F. (2020). Augmented reality in education. A scientific mapping in Web of Science. Interactive Learning Environments, 31, 1860 - 1874. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2020.1859546

    Berryman, D. R. (2012). Augmented reality: A review. Medical Reference Services Quarterly, 31(2), 212–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2012.670604

    Cai, S., Chiang, F.-K., Sun, Y., Lin, C., & Lee, J. J. (2017). Applications of augmented reality-based natural interactive learning in magnetic field instruction. Interactive Learning Environments, 25(6), 778-791. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2016.1181094

    Chang, H.-Y., Binali, T., Liang, J.-C., Chiou, G.-L., Cheng, K.-H., Lee, S. W.-Y., & Tsai, C.-C. (2022). Ten years of augmented reality in education: A meta-analysis of (quasi-) experimental studies to investigate the impact. Computers & Education, 191, 104641, 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104641

    Dunleavy, M., & Dede, C. (2014). Augmented reality teaching and learning. In J. M. Spector, M. D. Merrill, J. Elen, & M. J. Bishop (Eds.), Handbook of research on educational communications and technology (pp. 735-745). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3185-5_59

    Fortuna, A., Prasetya, F., Cabanillas García, J. L., Arcelus Ulibarrena, J. M., Salman, A., Karimi, A., & Yusuf, A. (2024). Modern learning paradigms: A bibliometric analysis of augmented reality and virtual reality in vocational education. Jurnal Pendidikan Teknologi Kejuruan, 7(2), 91-114. https://doi.org/10.24036/jptk.v7i2.36523

    Hincapié, M., Díaz, C., Valencia, A., Contero, M., & Güemes-Castorena, D. (2021). Educational applications of augmented reality: A bibliometric study. Computers & Electrical Engineering. 93, 1-24 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compeleceng.2021.107289

    Kaur, D. P., Mantri, A., & Horan, B. (2020). Enhancing student motivation with use of augmented reality for interactive learning in engineering education. Procedia Computer Science, 172, 881-885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2020.05.127

    Koumpouros, Y. (2024). Revealing the true potential and prospects of augmented reality in education. Smart Learning Environments, 11(2), 1-62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00288-0

    Lampropoulos, G. (2025). Combining artificial intelligence with augmented reality and virtual reality in education: Current trends and future perspectives. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 9(2), 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti9020011

    Leung, X. Y., Sun, J., & Bai, B. (2017). Bibliometrics of social media research: A co-citation and co-word analysis. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 66, 35-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2017.06.012

    Makransky, G., & Petersen, G. B. (2021). The cognitive affective model of immersive learning (CAMIL): A theoretical research-based model of learning in immersive virtual reality. Educational Psychology Review, 33, 937–965. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-020-09586-2

    Masalimova, A. R., Erdyneeva, K. G., Kryukova, N. I., Khlusyanov, O. V., Chudnovskiy, A. D., & Dobrokhotov, D. A. (2023). Bibliometric analysis of augmented reality in education and social science. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 13(2), e202316. https://doi.org/10.30935/ojcmt/13018

    Min, W., & Yu, Z. A. (2023). Bibliometric analysis of augmented reality in language learning. Sustainability, 15(7235), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097235

    Mirza, T., Dutta, R., Tuli, N., & Mantri, A. (2025). Leveraging augmented reality in education involving new pedagogies with emerging societal relevance. Discover Sustainability, 6(77). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-00877-8

    Özyurt, H., & Özyurt, O. (2025). Decoding educational augmented reality research trends: A topic modeling analysis. Education and Information Technologies, 30, 57-87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12943-1

    Radu, I. (2014). Augmented reality in education: A meta-review and cross-media analysis. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 18(6), 1533–1543. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-013-0747-y

    Rullyana, G., & Triandari, R. (2024). Trends and research issues of augmented reality in education: A bibliometric study. Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan, 1(4), 330-343. https://doi.org/10.47134/jtp.v1i4.907

    Saidin, N. F., Abd Halim, N. D., & Yahaya, N. (2015). A review of research on augmented reality in education: Advantages and applications. International Education Studies, 8(13), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v8n13p1

    Salmiyanti, Erita, E., Putri, S. R., & Nivetiken. (2023). The augmented reality (AR) in learning social science (IPS) at elementary schools. Journal Digital Learning and Distance Education, 1(7), 298-305. https://doi.org/10.56778/jdlde.v1i7.51

    Sandoval P. S., Gonzalez, L. J. M., Villa Barba, M. A., Jimenez Betancourt, R. O., Molinar Solís, J. E., Rosas Ornelas, J. L., Riberth García, G. I., & Rodriguez Haro, F. (2022). On the use of augmented reality to reinforce the learning of power electronics for beginners. Electronics (Switzerland), 11(3), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11030302

    Singh, S., Kaur, A., & Gulzar, Y. (2025). The impact of augmented reality on education: A bibliometric exploration. Frontiers in Education. 9, 1458695, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1458695

    Talan, T. (2021). Augmented reality in STEM education: Bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Technology in Education (IJTE), 4(4), 605-623. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijte.136

    Tripathi, M., Kumar, S., Sonker, S. K., & Babbar, P. (2018). Occurrence of author keywords and keywords plus in social sciences and humanities research: A preliminary study. Journal of Scientometrics and Information Management, 12(2), 215-232. https://doi.org/10.1080/09737766.2018.1436951

    Wahyuanto, E., Heriyanto, H., & Hastuti, S. (2024). Study of the use of augmented reality technology in improving the learning experience in the classroom. West Science Social and Humanities Studies, 2(5), 700-705. https://doi.org/10.58812/wsshs.v2i05.871