An examination of the literature on self-regulated learning in EFL education: a bibliometric analysis

This study employs a bibliometric analysis to examine the research of self-regulated learning (SRL) in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education. A total of 649 studies were selected from the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases for the analysis. Utilizing the VOSViewer program and Microsof...

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Main Author: Linling Zhong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Education
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2464363
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author Linling Zhong
author_facet Linling Zhong
author_sort Linling Zhong
collection DOAJ
description This study employs a bibliometric analysis to examine the research of self-regulated learning (SRL) in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education. A total of 649 studies were selected from the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases for the analysis. Utilizing the VOSViewer program and Microsoft Excel to reveal the growth trajectory, most-cited countries, international collaborations, most-cited journals and articles, and most-used keywords in the studies. The results demonstrate a significant upward trend from 2002 to 2024, with notable acceleration in recent years. The studies have been mostly cited and published in China, Iran, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. China has also emerged as a central country for international collaborations. System and TESOL Quarterly are the most cited journals, and the study further identifies the most cited articles. The most-used keywords in the studies revealed a central emphasis on SRL in EFL writing contexts, with strong connections to motivation, self-efficacy, and metacognition. The study contributes to the field by providing a comprehensive overview of current research trends on SRL in EFL education. The findings have implications for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in EFL education, offering insights into the evolving landscape of SRL research and its potential applications in language learning contexts.
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spelling doaj-art-21ef7097d3ff41789cd05d79151f91682025-08-20T03:22:16ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Education2331-186X2025-12-0112110.1080/2331186X.2025.2464363An examination of the literature on self-regulated learning in EFL education: a bibliometric analysisLinling Zhong0School of Humanities & Foreign Languages, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, ChinaThis study employs a bibliometric analysis to examine the research of self-regulated learning (SRL) in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education. A total of 649 studies were selected from the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases for the analysis. Utilizing the VOSViewer program and Microsoft Excel to reveal the growth trajectory, most-cited countries, international collaborations, most-cited journals and articles, and most-used keywords in the studies. The results demonstrate a significant upward trend from 2002 to 2024, with notable acceleration in recent years. The studies have been mostly cited and published in China, Iran, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. China has also emerged as a central country for international collaborations. System and TESOL Quarterly are the most cited journals, and the study further identifies the most cited articles. The most-used keywords in the studies revealed a central emphasis on SRL in EFL writing contexts, with strong connections to motivation, self-efficacy, and metacognition. The study contributes to the field by providing a comprehensive overview of current research trends on SRL in EFL education. The findings have implications for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in EFL education, offering insights into the evolving landscape of SRL research and its potential applications in language learning contexts.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2464363Self-regulated learning (SRL)English as a Foreign language (EFL)bibliometric analysiscomprehensive overviewresearch trendsStudy Skills
spellingShingle Linling Zhong
An examination of the literature on self-regulated learning in EFL education: a bibliometric analysis
Cogent Education
Self-regulated learning (SRL)
English as a Foreign language (EFL)
bibliometric analysis
comprehensive overview
research trends
Study Skills
title An examination of the literature on self-regulated learning in EFL education: a bibliometric analysis
title_full An examination of the literature on self-regulated learning in EFL education: a bibliometric analysis
title_fullStr An examination of the literature on self-regulated learning in EFL education: a bibliometric analysis
title_full_unstemmed An examination of the literature on self-regulated learning in EFL education: a bibliometric analysis
title_short An examination of the literature on self-regulated learning in EFL education: a bibliometric analysis
title_sort examination of the literature on self regulated learning in efl education a bibliometric analysis
topic Self-regulated learning (SRL)
English as a Foreign language (EFL)
bibliometric analysis
comprehensive overview
research trends
Study Skills
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2464363
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