International comparative research in early childhood education: A systematic and thematic review

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed a surge of interest in international comparative (IC) research within the realm of early childhood education (ECE), spurred by a series of influential IC reports published by international agencies and organizations in the early 2000s. These landmark studies, coupled with global endeavours to enhance the well-being of young children amid a backdrop of increasing societal changes, have catapulted IC research to the forefront of early childhood education. In response to the growing popularity and significance of IC research in ECE, there emerged a pressing need for comprehensive literature reviews that could consolidate the intellectual structures of the field and guide future initiatives. To address this demand, this study conducted a systematic review of academic publications on IC research in ECE from 2001 to 2022, utilizing bibliometric visualization tools. Through rigorous statistical, citation, and co-citation analyses, we identified the publication trend, leading researchers, major collaborative networks, and influential works within the field. Furthermore, our thematic review of these studies revealed key research areas driving IC research in ECE. Based on these insights, the study presents recommendations for future research directions.