A bibliometric analysis of immersive technology in museum exhibitions: exploring user experience

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to comprehensively understand the existing literature on immersive technology in museum exhibitions, focusing on virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and the visitor experience. The research utilizes a bibliometric approach by examining a dataset of 722 articles with two main research objectives. Firstly, it seeks to analyze current trends in immersive technology literature, specifically emphasizing VR and the user experience in museum exhibitions through co-citation analysis. Secondly, it aims to identify emerging research trends using co-word analysis.Methods: The study employs a bibliometric approach, specifically co-citation and co-word analysis, to investigate trends and forecast emerging areas in the field, particularly the role of VR in the museum context.Results: The analysis reveals the presence of five interconnected thematic clusters in the literature. These clusters include (1) VR and AR-enhanced heritage tourism, (2) VR and AR-enabled virtual museums, (3) interactive digital art education in immersive environments, (4) immersive storytelling in virtual heritage spaces, and (5) mobile AR heritage revival.Discussion: The article highlights influential works within these areas, showcasing the historical evolution of the field and the current emphasis on utilizing VR to create immersive, educational, and engaging experiences for museum visitors. The findings indicate that research on VR applications for museum exhibitions has predominantly focused on profound game-driven experiences and interactive 3D heritage, resulting in improved visitor engagement and access to cultural content. The adoption of VR technology holds the potential to revolutionize user experiences within the cultural heritage sector and reshape the overall landscape of museums and exhibitions. By presenting these research trends, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the vital role of VR in enhancing visitor experiences in museum settings. Furthermore, it paves the way for further exploration and innovation in immersive technology.

Applications of augmented reality in museums, impact on cultural heritage

“…The integration of immersive technology into museum exhibits has a profound impact on the user experience, offering visitors unique and engaging encounters with cultural artefacts and historical contexts. (11) Immersive technology emerges as a suitable solution to many of the dilemmas within the museum environment, its application advantages ensuring improvements for both the customer and the worker.…”

“…By providing interactive, multimodal experiences, immersive technology supports various learning styles and encourages active learning. (11) Considering the museum as an indirect learning site and appreciating the positive impact of these technologies on the education sector, only better results should be expected from this merger.…”

“…By leveraging digital interfaces, immersive technology has the potential to attract and engage a wider audience, including younger generations, thus fostering inclusivity and broadening the reach of cultural heritage institutions. (11) Accommodating the breadth of audiences is also a challenge for these institutions, especially when it comes to younger audiences, whose intellectual capacity and interests demand other types of approaches such as AR and even gamified environments.…”

“…These improvements could optimize visitor satisfaction and pave the way for future research on effective personalization of immersive technologies in museum contexts. (11) Through real-time rendering, it is possible to argue archaeological features in a real-world setting, allowing the audience to get a much more realistic and richer museum experience. (1) Dynamic image visualization not only makes the display of various buildings or exhibition halls vivid but also improves the speed of people's understanding of buildings.…”

“…(8,9,10) The limitations of physical museum visits have highlighted the importance of alternative means of engagement, and immersive technologies have emerged as promising solutions. (11) AR can become a key player in the invaluable preservation of cultural heritage. (12) Given the above, the present work was conducted to characterize AR technology's application in museums.…”