Collins, W; Salman, A; Olbina, S and Mosier, R (2024) Scientometric, thematic, and methodological analysis of IJCER construction education focused publications: 2004–2023. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 20(4), pp. 383-404. ISSN 1557-8771
Abstract
Research projects must be carefully designed, executed, and disseminated to ensure validity, reliability, and generalizability. The International Journal of Construction Education and Research (IJCER) is the leader in publishing education-focused scholarship. This mixed methods case study research examined construction education-focused articles published in the IJCER between 2004 and 2023, aiming to showcase the works of the most prolific construction education research publisher and identify actionable areas of potential future research. The scientometric analysis showed largely U.S.-based authorship, with increased international authorship over time and clusters of prominent universities and academics. The thematic analysis showed a primarily qualitative methodological focus, with data provided mainly by students and industry practitioners via surveys. Topics such as BIM education have been potentially researched to the point of saturation. Future research opportunities are proposed, including expanding methodological usage and addressing less-researched topics such as artificial intelligence, underrepresented students, student attraction to construction majors, and program ranking. The findings call attention to the sustained evolution of education research and the growing recognition of IJCER. Additionally, the article details step-by-step guidance on conducting mixed-methods case study research and substantiates the need for construction education-specific research guidelines.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | case study; construction education; mixed-methods research; research methodologies; scientometric analysis |
| Index terms: | research methodology, artificial intelligence, mixed method, case study, validity, program, construction education, evolution, practitioner, thematic analysis, publication, journal, survey |
| Subjects: | research dissemination and communication, data collection methods, evaluation and assessment methods, research design and methodology, practitioner, environmental science, artificial intelligence, software systems, methods and analysis, professional education |
| Topics: | Education, Digital Applications, Roles and Professions, Sustainability, Research Practice, Information Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here