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. 2025 Apr;46(4):406-417.
doi: 10.15537/smj.2025.46.4.20240591.

A bibliometric analysis of disability research in Saudi Arabia: Evolving trends, thematic mapping, and gaps

Mahmoud Kandeel  1 , Mohamed A Morsy  1 , Khalid M Al Khodair  1 , Sameer Alhojaily  1
Affiliations

A bibliometric analysis of disability research in Saudi Arabia: Evolving trends, thematic mapping, and gaps

Mahmoud Kandeel et al. Saudi Med J. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

Objectives: To identify key trends and influential authors and institutions, provide thematic mapping, and determine recent evolutions and gaps in the disability research in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: The study started in June 2024 and the data was analyzed during July 2024 in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The analysis employed bibliometric techniques such as bibliometric coupling, and thematic mapping using VOSviewer and RStudio with the Bibliometrix package.

Results: The bibliometric analysis identified a total of 3080 publications and showed that the annual growth rate in the number of publications was 13.5%. Emerging themes included intellectual disabilities, quality of life, rehabilitation, and mental health. Additionally, there was a significant increase over the years in studies incorporating modern technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. International collaborations were significant, at 59.2% of the publications. Density visualization highlighted central themes such as multiple sclerosis and quality of life. Emerging themes such as machine learning and virtual reality reflected recent trends that integrated advanced technologies into disability research. Several gaps were found, particularly in foundational themes and information on the practical applications of the emerging technologies for disabled people.

Conclusion: The bibliometric analysis highlighted a diverse landscape of disability research in Saudi Arabia. Future research should explore the practical applications of advanced technologies in the Saudi context to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; bibliometric analysis; disability; research themes; research trends.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
- Bibliometric analysis. Three-field graph of the studies retrieved from the Scopus database on disability research in Saudi Arabia. The data was retrieved from Scopus. The Scopus database was accessed in June 2024.
Figure 2
Figure 2
- Trending topics of disability research in Saudi Arabia. The data was retrieved from Scopus. The Scopus database was accessed in June 2024.
Figure 3
Figure 3
- Density visualization map of disability research in Saudi Arabia. The data was retrieved from Scopus. The Scopus database was accessed in June 2024.
Appendix 1
Appendix 1
- The PRISMA chart showing data collection and screening process for the studies retrieved from Scopus database for disability research in Saudi Arabia. The data was retrieved from Scopus. The Scopus database was accessed in June 2024.
Appendix 2
Appendix 2
- Bibliometric analysis of disability research in Saudi Arabia. A) Bradford’s law analysis of journals contributing to the field, illustrating the cumulative frequency of articles across ranked journals. B) Distribution of authorship based on Lotka’s law, showing the inverse relationship between the number of articles authored and the number of contributing authors. C) Overlay visualization of disability research in Saudi Arabia. D) Cluster analysis of disability research in Saudi Arabia. E) Thematic evolution of research topics from 1980-2024, generated using Bibliometrix. The Sankey diagram illustrates the progression and transitions of themes across 5 time slices: 1980-2010, 2011-2018, 2019-2020, 2021-2023, and 2024-2024. The data was retrieved from Scopus. The Scopus database was accessed in June 2024.
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