Abstract:

The rapid expansion of digital technologies has significantly transformed teaching and learning processes over the past decades. Within this context, e-learning has become a central topic in educational research, generating a large and diverse body of scientific literature. Understanding the intellectual structure and evolution of this field is essential for identifying key research trends, influential contributions and emerging topics.

This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric overview of e-learning research. Using bibliometric techniques and science mapping methods, the analysis explores the development of the field over time, focusing on publication trends, influential authors, key journals and the conceptual structure of the research domain. The dataset was obtained from a major academic database and analysed through bibliometric indicators and network visualisation tools, allowing the identification of thematic clusters and relationships within the literature.

The results reveal the main intellectual foundations of e-learning research and highlight the most prominent research themes shaping the field. Several thematic clusters emerge, reflecting different perspectives on digital learning environments, technological innovation in education, and pedagogical approaches to online learning. The findings also illustrate how the field has evolved over time, moving from early technological experimentation towards more complex pedagogical and methodological discussions.

This bibliometric overview contributes to a better understanding of the development and current state of e-learning research, offering a structured perspective on the main directions of the field. The study may help researchers and educators identify relevant research areas, gaps in the literature and potential directions for future investigation.

Keywords:

e-learning, scientometric analysis, educational technology, science mapping, research trends.