Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Character Education in Integrated Islamic Primary Schools (SDIT) in Indonesia Based on Google Scholar (2015–2024)

Abstract

This study aims to analyse research trends concerning character education in Integrated Islamic Primary Schools (Sekolah Dasar Islam Terpadu or SDIT) in Indonesia using bibliometric methods. Research article data were retrieved from Google Scholar via the Publish or Perish application, comprising 500 publications within the 2015–2024 period. The analysis was conducted using VOSviewer software to observe research trends and to visualise research networks and density within this field. The results indicate that the number of publications related to character education in SDIT has significantly increased over the last decade, peaking in 2022 before experiencing a slight decline. Bibliometric visualisation identified three primary research clusters: primary school, moral character, and education in Indonesia. Furthermore, a shift in research trends was found, moving from the fundamental concepts of character education towards more specific themes, such as the role of teachers in Islamic education. Several terms with high density in the visualisation indicate that these aspects have been extensively studied, while low-density themes remain with the potential for further exploration. This study emphasises the importance of academic collaboration and innovation in research to enrich the study of character education in SDIT and to address the challenges of moral education in the modern era.