The education system has relied on conventional single-score assessments, which provide limited insights into students' cognitive abilities. Cognitive diagnostic assessment (CDA) offers a promising alternative by providing detailed information on students' cognitive processes. The review aims to explore the recent trends of cognitive diagnostic…

This case study examines the key steps and challenges that were involved in a mixed methods research project relating to Japanese first-year medical students' English academic vocabulary learning. Conducting mixed methods research can be both conceptually and administratively challenging under any circumstances. However, this study was especially…

Background: While there is now considerable research on parenting by persons with intellectual disabilities, most of this research comes from Western countries. A dearth of information exists about families headed by parents with intellectual disabilities from other countries. This paper summarises the state of research and practice in Japan,…

Analyzing 28 articles from databases including WOS, Scopus, and ProQuest, this systematic review investigates the application of Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory in education. It reveals a sustained scholarly interest in cultural dimensions with substantial contributions from scholars in China, Japan, Israel, and the UK. The study focuses on…

This study explores the multifaceted concept of "public good(s)" in the context of Japanese higher education. Through interviews with 11 stakeholders, including policymakers, representatives from academic associations, and institutional leaders from two national universities, the research reveals that "public good(s)" are…

In comparative VET research, a model developed from the perspective of comparative politics, the so-called 'skill formation systems typology' developed by Busemeyer and Trampusch, dominates the discourse. However, models to compare VET systems often rely on a narrow set of assumptions and fail to account for their complexity. We therefore review…

This paper is based on a study conducted ten years ago at one university in Japan aiming at collaborative development through reflection among a teacher educator, two in-service teachers, and four pre-service graduate students. Collaborative reflection involved methods, such as the graduate students' observation of the in-service teachers' English…

Despite the notable increase in women's enrollment in education, a significant gender gap persists in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This imbalance poses challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. While research on the relationship between gender and STEM has been growing, the…

The "International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning" (IRRODL) published its first issue in 2000. This paper provides an overview of the journal's development over its 25-year history using bibliometric indicators. We analyzed IRRODL's performance relative to other journals in the field and have highlighted key…

This study highlights research trends and teaching methods in inquiry-based learning in Japan's elementary school curriculum of the "period for integrated studies" by conducting a scoping review of existing literature. Thirty papers that focused on teaching methods for inquiry-based learning were reviewed, and five subthemes were…

Purpose: The integration of mobile technology in ESL/EFL contexts has garnered significant attention from contemporary researchers, teachers, and learners due to the advancements in technology, dynamic features, and multimodal applications. With this growing interest, there is a need to synthesize the existing literature and identify current…

The aim of this study is to analyze the emerging trends in related research in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) from 2020 to 2024 using a systematic literature review (SLR). In higher education, the concept of EAP has expanded due to globalization and internationalization, providing essential language skills to enhance students' learning…

This study presents the first comprehensive dual-database bibliometric analysis of game-based learning research, investigating its evolution between 2015 and 2024 through analysis of 34,125 documents from Scopus (18,487) and Web of Science (WoS) (15,638) using advanced visualization techniques. The findings reveal consistent field expansion with…

Statistical literacy, encompassing the interpretation and evaluation of statistical reports, is a skill developed in schools. However, the pedagogical approaches to statistical literacy skills have not been sufficiently investigated. This study investigated whether statistical literacy skills could be demonstrated through high school lessons.…

University-industry collaboration (UIC) has emerged as a focal point in the contemporary global higher education landscape. Nevertheless, the underlying objectives for endorsing UIC often vary across national contexts despite a consensus on its collective benefits. This study endeavors to juxtapose the social imaginary surrounding UIC within three…