Collaboration in early childhood services: Trends and patterns from a bibliometric study

Abstract

Background: Collaboration in early childhood services is essential for integrating interdisciplinary efforts to support child development. Despite its importance, research trends in this area remain fragmented and require systematic mapping.

Aim: This study aims to analyse research trends on collaboration in early childhood services over the past 11 years (2013–2023) using bibliometric analysis.

Setting: The study examined 437 relevant documents retrieved from the Scopus database, focusing on publication trends, influential contributors, emerging themes and future research directions.

Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Data were processed using Microsoft Excel, Harzing’s Publish or Perish, and VOSviewer to identify research networks, key contributors and thematic patterns.

Results: Findings indicate fluctuating publication trends, with significant contributions from authors in developed countries. Emerging research highlights the significance of family–professional partnerships, interdisciplinary collaboration and technology integration in child welfare services. However, studies remain concentrated in high-income regions, with limited insights from diverse socio-cultural contexts.

Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive overview of collaborative research in early childhood services and identifies future research needs, including expanding studies in underrepresented regions, developing tools to assess collaboration effectiveness, and integrating mental health services into early childhood programmes.

Contribution: The study contributes to the field by offering a systematic understanding of research trends, identifying knowledge gaps and proposing directions for future collaboration research in early childhood services.