Research Trend on Augmented Reality (AR) in Education Using Bibliometric Analysis with VOSviewer

Abstract

The rapid penetration of Augmented Reality (AR) technology in various crucial sectors demands a comprehensive mapping of emerging research trends, particularly in the educational context. This study aims to identify and visualize key clusters and shifts in the focus of AR research in education through bibliometric analysis. The research method used was descriptive qualitative, analyzing 1,832 articles from the ScienceDirect database for the 2022–2026 period using VOSviewer software. The analysis revealed three dominant clusters encompassing technical aspects, pedagogical implementation, and user psychology, with the keywords "student" and "system" having the highest centrality. These findings indicate a significant transition from system foundation development in 2023 to more rigorous experimental and simulation methodologies in mid-2024. While the education sector remains a key laboratory for AR testing, the emergence of new nodes such as "patient" suggests potential future diversification into the medical field. Based on these findings, it is recommended that further research further integrate technical reliability with user psychology to create an inclusive digital ecosystem. Multidisciplinary collaboration between engineers, educators, and behavioral experts is key to driving the sustainable mass adoption of this immersive technology