Gamification Meets Information Literacy: A Bibliometric Review of Escape Rooms and Educational Games in Research

Objective: This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the intersection between gamification, escape rooms, and information literacy in educational contexts. By mapping keyword co-occurrence networks, it identifies key thematic clusters and emerging trends in this dynamic research field. Methods: Data were extracted from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for the period ۲۰۱۴–۲۰۲۵. Using VOSviewer, a co-occurrence analysis of ۳۷ keywords was performed, resulting in ۹ distinct thematic clusters. The analysis focused on publication patterns, keyword relationships, and their weights to reveal dominant themes and interconnections. Findings: The analysis highlighted gamification (weight ۲۳) and information literacy (weight ۲۳) as central themes, underscoring their role in modern educational strategies. Academic libraries (weight ۲۰) emerged as key environments for implementing these approaches. Escape rooms (weight ۹) were identified as innovative tools for fostering active learning and collaboration. Game-based learning (weight ۱۷) and serious games (weight ۶) were prominent in enhancing information skills, particularly in online education. Emerging technologies like AI and blockchain (Cluster ۱) represent a growing trend, potentially integrating with gamified learning to create personalized educational experiences. Conclusion: This study confirms the transformative role of gamification and escape rooms in information literacy education, particularly within academic libraries. The findings suggest future research should explore the integration of advanced technologies to further enhance these pedagogical approaches. Scopus is recommended as the most comprehensive database for this interdisciplinary field.

Keywords:

Gamification , Information Literacy , Escape Room , Game-Based Learning , Bibliometrics