Mapping the Landscape of Hindrances: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis of Barriers to MOOCs

Abstract

The dynamic ascent of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) is profoundly reshaping the global educational milieu, affording high-quality learning opportunities to individuals with internet access. Despite its transformative potential, MOOCs have yet to realize the anticipated expansion due to the formidable barriers they confront. This study offers a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of 1061 exclusive articles from the Scopus database, covering publications up to 2023, to provide a comprehensive analysis of the topic's current state. The bibliometric study conducted using VOSviewer yielded quantitative insights into the yearly patterns, influential articles, authors, journals, institutions, and countries related to barriers in MOOC research. In addition, co-occurrence and cited network analysis highlight the interconnectedness of research themes and collaborative networks. The findings will improve comprehension of barriers to MOOCs for all stakeholders involved and facilitate advancements for researchers and professionals.