Emergence of Wisdom Research in Higher Education during 1988–2022

Abstract

Purpose: This paper focuses on exploring the emerging trends and themes of wisdom research in higher education during the 1988-2022 period.Study design/methodology/approach: Wisdom publications (n=523) found in the Web of Science database were quantitatively analysed. For mapping the emerging research themes and trends we applied Bibliometric Analysis (i.e., citation, co-citation, bibliographic coupling, co-word, and co-authorship analyses). VOSviewer software was used for analysis and visualization.Findings: Findings indicated an exponential growth in wisdom publications that could provide opportunities for educational researchers for many years ahead. The main emerging themes were: pedagogy, teaching, students, intelligence, character, ethics, wisdom, local wisdom, phronesis, practical wisdom, spirituality, empathy, inequality, mindfulness, sustainability, and human capital.Originality/value: This study uses science mapping technique of Bibliometric Analysis that is still a very new method in educational research.