A Bibliometric Analysis of Digital Competency Studies in Rural Areas

Abstract

Digital competency studies in rural areas have developed rapidly over the past few years, especially since the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, systematic literature reviews in exploring the development of knowledge bases about digital competence in rural areas are still limited. This research aims to overview digital competency studies in rural areas by applying Scopus data-based bibliometric analysis and visual analysis with VOSviewer. The results showed that this Study first appeared in 2011 and reached its peak in 2021. The domain of knowledge is the subject area of social science and the research topics are "elearning"; "covid-19"; "online learning"; "higher education"; "rural education"; and "rural residents". This research found the development of the knowledge base of digital competency studies in rural areas both conceptually and empirically. This research contributes to developing future conceptual studies (the development concepts and models of digital competence) and empirical focus studies (digital innovation, technology adoption; digital learning; and others), and locus studies in Developing Countries; High Income, Lower Middle Income, and Low-Income Countries in various regions