Mapping the global research landscape of moral education and pedagogy: A Scopus-based bibliometric analysis (2019–2026)

Abstract

Moral education and pedagogy play a crucial role in fostering ethical reasoning, character development, social responsibility, and values-based learning across diverse educational contexts. This study aims to examine global research trends, scholarly productivity, and disciplinary developments in moral education and pedagogy through a quantitative bibliometric analysis of 279 Scopus-indexed publications from 2019 to 2026. Bibliographic data were analysed using descriptive indicators, including annual publication trends, leading authors, prominent journals, geographical distribution, subject-area classifications, and funding sponsorship. The findings reveal a substantial increase in publication output during 2025 (n = 54) and 2026 (n = 93), indicating heightened scholarly activity within the retrieved literature. Brunsdon and Zembylas emerged as the most productive authors, while the Journal of Moral Education and Science and Engineering Ethics were identified as the leading publication sources. Social Sciences (n = 242) and Arts and Humanities (n = 114) dominated the subject-area classifications, highlighting the strong educational, philosophical, and ethical foundations of the field. Geographically, the United States recorded the highest publication output (n = 67), followed by Indonesia (n = 26), China (n = 20), and the United Kingdom (n = 19), while Malaysia contributed 11 publications. The findings demonstrate the multidisciplinary nature and uneven geographical distribution of research associated with moral education and pedagogy. This study contributes to understanding global scholarly development and highlights opportunities for strengthening international collaboration, interdisciplinary research, and evidence-based pedagogical innovation. Future investigations should incorporate advanced bibliometric mapping techniques to identify emerging research themes and intellectual structures.