A Bibliometric Analysis of Metaverse: Mapping, Visualizing and Future Research Trends

Abstract

Metaverse merges diverse digital technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), Internet of Things (IoT) sensing technology, Three-dimensional (3D), Extended Reality (XR), and modeling. This research aims to present a bibliometric analysis for visualizing and mapping Metaverse research. In particular, 2673 research articles listed in the Scopus database between the years 2000 and 2023 were analyzed. The knowledge visualization and mapping based on VOS viewer and R studio present the current research status and keywords analysis. This research highlights newer insights into Metaverse applications across various business domains. The findings suggest that the metaverse is highly inclusive. The majority of industries and businesses have adopted several metaverse applications. The present state of the Metaverse literature justifies that Metaverse deep learning, Metaverse blockchain, and cyber-human interaction is a rapidly evolving research domain that engages a set of interconnected fields, which include the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual space, mixed reality and digital twin.