A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF LEXICAL COMPLEXITY RESEARCH IN EFL/ESL CONTEXTS (2015–2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23969/jp.v11i02.54042Keywords:
bibliometric analysis, lexical complexity, EFL/ESL, second language acquisition, VOSviewerAbstract
This study presents a bibliometric analysis of lexical complexity research in EFL/ESL contexts published between 2015 and 2025. Using data retrieved from the Scopus database, a total of 141 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed to map the intellectual landscape, identify dominant research themes, and trace publication trends over the decade. The findings reveal a significant upward trend in publication output, particularly after 2020, suggesting growing scholarly attention to lexical complexity in second language acquisition. The most productive journals include System and Assessing Writing, while China, the United States, and Iran emerge as the leading contributing countries. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified 66 keywords organized into nine clusters. These clusters can be broadly grouped into three dominant thematic areas: the CAF framework, Task-Based Language Teaching, and L2 writing assessment. The most cited document is Yoon and Polio (2017) with 233 citations. The study highlights persistent research gaps, including limited investigation of lexical complexity in receptive skills and underrepresentation of learners from Southeast Asian EFL contexts. These findings offer practical implications for researchers, curriculum designers, and language educators, and point to productive directions for future inquiry.
Keywords: bibliometric analysis, lexical complexity, EFL/ESL, second language acquisition, VOSviewer
Penelitian ini menyajikan analisis bibliometrik terhadap penelitian kompleksitas leksikal dalam konteks EFL/ESL yang dipublikasikan antara tahun 2015 hingga 2025. Menggunakan data yang diperoleh dari basis data Scopus, sebanyak 141 artikel jurnal yang telah melalui proses peer-review dianalisis untuk memetakan lanskap intelektual, mengidentifikasi tema penelitian dominan, dan menelusuri tren publikasi selama satu dekade. Temuan menunjukkan tren kenaikan output publikasi yang signifikan, khususnya setelah tahun 2020, yang mengindikasikan meningkatnya perhatian akademis terhadap kompleksitas leksikal dalam pemerolehan bahasa kedua. Jurnal paling produktif meliputi System dan Assessing Writing, sementara Tiongkok, Amerika Serikat, dan Iran muncul sebagai negara kontributor terkemuka. Analisis ko-okurensi kata kunci yang dilakukan melalui VOSviewer mengidentifikasi sembilan klaster kata kunci yang dapat dikelompokkan ke dalam tiga tema utama penelitian.n: triad CAF (Complexity, Accuracy, and Fluency), Pembelajaran Berbasis Tugas (TBLT), dan penilaian menulis L2. Dokumen paling banyak dikutip adalah Yoon dan Polio (2017) dengan 233 sitasi. Studi ini menyoroti kesenjangan penelitian yang masih ada, termasuk terbatasnya investigasi kompleksitas leksikal dalam keterampilan reseptif dan kurangnya representasi pelajar dari konteks EFL Asia Tenggara. Temuan ini menawarkan implikasi praktis bagi peneliti, perancang kurikulum, dan pendidik bahasa, serta menunjukkan arah penelitian yang produktif untuk kajian mendatang.
Kata Kunci: analisis bibliometrik, kompleksitas leksikal, EFL/ESL, pemerolehan bahasa kedua, VOSviewer
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