Mapping the Terrain: A Systematic Review of Drama Research Using Data Mining

Abstract

Drama is a mode of storytelling that has transcended from traditional to online media. This study aimed to determine salient topics and trends in drama research through data mining of peer-reviewed English articles in Web of Science and Scopus. By employing the keywords “television drama,” “online drama,” “drama series,” “web drama,” and “soap opera,” 2,148 articles were identified. Analysis revealed 25 distinct research topics: evolution, issues and analysis, impact, audience, and institutionalization. Prominent topics included “power and politics,” “viewership and engagement,” and “gender and sexuality,” while less-published topics encompassed “elements and structure,” “impact on culture,” and “drama characterization.” Notably, publication rates for all topics exhibited a significant increase since 1970. These findings underscore the need for continuous research updates across various categories to advance understanding of the interplay between society and dramas. The methodology employed can also guide future trend analyses in specific drama research topics.