Towards methodological rigor and analytical depth in conducting bibliometric reviews

Abstract

This chapter critically reflects on our bibliometric review (

), which examined the role of extrinsic factors in shaping the citation landscape of Applied Linguistics literature. Accordingly, we highlight two key methodological considerations in conducting bibliometric reviews. The first purpose of this chapter is to explain our methodological approach and document the research process in a transparent and systematic manner so that the study can be understood, evaluated, and potentially replicated by other researchers. The second purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate our effort to identify potential biases and social dynamics underlying citation practices within the disciplinary context and to highlight the importance of connecting bibliometric findings to broader theoretical and practical implications. This chapter would be useful for researchers interested in conducting bibliometric reviews to get a deeper engagement with this synthetic approach in Applied Linguistics and beyond.