Trends in Early Childhood Education and Akhlak: Islamic Perspectives for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) In Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Muthoifin  , Khondoker Saif Uddin Ahmed , Mahmudulhassan  , Waston  , Nirwana Andri , Ghazwan Ali Ali Hussein , Yanuri Yusuf Rohmat , Yuldarrahma  
Published: February 2025

Purpose: This study aims to map significant aspects of the bibliography on Akhlak Teaching, including an analysis of terms found in article titles and abstracts, countries of contributors, and patterns of collaboration among authors. The objective is to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of Akhlak Teaching research published in reputable international journals from 1912 to 2024, offering valuable guidance for future studies in this field.

Theoretical Framework: The research underscores the interdisciplinary nature of Akhlak Teaching, with thematic clusters spanning general teaching, curriculum development, and medical teaching. A key focus is placed on integrating religious and cultural elements into pedagogical research to enhance akhlak and childhood education practices, particularly within Islamic contexts.

Methods: This study employs a systematic and structured mind-mapping approach, conducted in four stages. The first stage involves data extraction using a Boolean search. The second stage focuses on selecting articles suitable for bibliometric analysis. The third stage ensures the completion and validation of article metadata. Finally, bibliometric analysis is performed using VOSviewer and R/R-Studio to uncover significant trends and patterns. The dataset comprises 2,023 documents extracted from 1,222 books and journals, demonstrating an annual growth rate of 4.09%. This extensive dataset provides a robust foundation for analyzing the evolution and geographic distribution of contributions to Akhlak Teaching research.

Results and Conclusion: The findings reveal that scholarly outputs are predominantly contributed by the United States and the United Kingdom. Leading journals in the field include Medical Teaching and the Journal of Akhlak Teaching, with prominent authors such as S. Bamkin and D.T.L. Shek identified for their significant contributions. Network analysis using VOSviewer highlights research clusters related to general teaching, curriculum development, and medical teaching, emphasizing the multidisciplinary nature of this field. This study provides a detailed overview of trends in Akhlak Teaching research, offering pathways for future investigations. The results contribute valuable insights into the evolution of Akhlak and childhood education curricula, particularly in Islamic contexts, and inform educators, policymakers, and scholars on the current state of research in this domain.
Research Implications: The research highlights the importance of fostering international collaboration and improving curriculum development. It also emphasizes the value of enriching interdisciplinary studies in Akhlak Teaching by integrating religious and cultural dimensions into educational methodologies to advance akhlak and childhood education globally.

Originality/value: This study represents the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of Akhlak Teaching research over a century-long period (1912–2024). It offers unique insights into the interplay between pedagogy, culture, and religion in shaping educational practices and serves as a foundational reference for advancing knowledge and application in this crucial field.