A Cross-National Bibliometric Mapping of Quality Assurance Research in Higher Education (2015-2025)

Abstract

This study examined research trends in quality assurance in higher education from 2015 to 2025. It also examined cross-national productivity by country, author, journal, and institutional affiliation. The study retrieved the dataset from the Scopus database using the bibliometric method after developing a search strategy. Data analysis was achieved using Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer software. The study found that research productivity in quality assurance in higher education increased between 2019 and 2020 during the COVID-19 period. However, after 2021, sustained growth in publications has been recorded in the field, testifying to its global policy relevance. It was also revealed that, with conspicuous dominance from US institutions and the medical education context, the Global North has heavily dominated the productivity stage. The study also found strong collaboration networks within but not between global regions, indicating a lack of equitable North-South partnerships. On the other hand, thematic analysis revealed a greater focus on accreditation, accountability, and emerging frontiers in internationalization and digital learning. The novelty of this study lies in its cross-national bibliometric mapping of quality assurance research for the current decade. The study’s finding of geographical imbalances in knowledge production and collaboration presupposes evidence-based insights for policymakers and scholars to work on an inclusive global research agenda