Visualization and Bibliometric Analysis of Research Evolution on Metaverse

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of metaverse research, examining trends, academic output, and collaborations. A total of 1,200 papers were retrieved from web of science and analyzed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Biblioshiny. Research on the metaverse has surged since 2022, driven by commercial interest. Leading institutions include the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Nanyang Technological University, with China and the USA dominating country collaborations. Keyword analysis highlights ‘virtual reality’ and ‘augmented reality,’ while ‘virtual worlds’ and ‘Second Life’ show notable bursts. Author networks reveal strong collaborations, though male researchers predominate, with Paola Paoloni standing out among female contributors. High-impact journals like IEEE Access and Sustainability frequently publish in this field, which is largely interdisciplinary, spanning computer science and engineering. This study, among the first of its kind, provides insights into the evolving landscape of metaverse research, guiding future studies and identifying unexplored areas for further exploration.