Scientific Evolution of Social Work Academic Production in Türkiye. A Bibliometric Analysis of the Articles Published in Web of Science Database Between 1981 and 2024

Abstract

Summary: This study presents a bibliometric analysis of social work academic production in Türkiye, aiming to map the discipline's intellectual development over four decades and identify emerging research priorities. Articles published in the Web of Science Core Collection between 1981 and 2024 were analyzed, examining publication trends, citation patterns, thematic structures, and authorship dynamics to provide a comprehensive overview of the field. Findings: The analysis reveals a substantial increase in scholarly output after 2010, driven by the expansion of social work education, doctoral programs, and international collaborations. A notable spike in publications between 2020 and 2023 highlights the discipline's response to global crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, which intensified research on mental health, child welfare, and social policy interventions. Key research themes include public health, social inequality, and family interventions, whereas underexplored areas such as digital social work, artificial intelligence applications, and environmental justice represent future opportunities. Methodologically, research is dominated by descriptive and cross-sectional studies, with limited use of experimental, longitudinal, and mixed-method designs. The analysis also indicates that a small group of prolific scholars significantly shapes the knowledge base, although broader participation remains limited. Applications: This bibliometric analysis underscores the growing impact of Turkish social work research and calls for diversification of research methodologies, expansion of interdisciplinary collaborations, and stronger integration into global research networks. Bridging the gap between theory and practice through policy-driven and applied studies will be critical to further elevating the field's global visibility and influence.