Local Culture and Character Education Research Trends: A Decade-Long Bibliometric Study

Abstract

Objective: This article presents the findings of a literature review on research publications in the field of local culture and character education over the past decade (2014-2024). The study aimed to map the growth of publications, identify major contributions of authors and countries, analyze keyword networks, and pinpoint emerging research themes. Method: A bibliometric approach was employed, analyzing 189 Scopus-indexed articles using VOSviewer software. Results: The study indicates a significant rise in publications during the 2014-2024 period. Indonesia emerged as the most productive country with the highest number of citations. Dominant keywords such as "local wisdom," "character education," and "local culture" highlight growing academic interest in character education rooted in local values. The evidence suggests that local cultural values provide a strong foundation for character development, contributing to moral resilience and cultural identity amidst globalization. This study recommends further research into newly identified areas, particularly emerging intersections such as digital age character education, ethnopedagogy, and sustainability, while encouraging stronger international collaboration. These findings have implications for policymakers, curriculum designers, and researchers seeking to promote culturally based character development in diverse learning environments. Novelty: Unlike previous reviews focused on specific areas such as phisics or science education, this study offers a comprehensive mapping of the instersection between character education and local culture across educational domains. Through a systematic network analysis of 189 Scopus-indexed articles, it highlights interdisciplinary convergence and identifies emerging themes such as character education in the digital age, ethnopedagogy, and sustainability—that suggest promising direction for future research.