Intrinsic Motivation in Primary Education: A Bibliometric Trend

In primary education level, intrinsic motivation is a critical factor influencing engagement and learning outcomes. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer Software and Scopus Analyzer to examine the research trends in primary education. 552 publications set of data was analyzed to identify key themes, collaborative networks, influential authors, and research outputs. The findings reveal a consistent increase in scholarly attention to intrinsic motivation in primary education over the past decades, with prominent themes including self-determination theory, gamification, and technology-enhanced in learning. The network analysis highlights significant interconnections among these topics, indicating a multidisciplinary approach to understanding and enhancing intrinsic motivation. The study also identifies geographical patterns of collaboration with substantial contributions from researchers in Asia, Europe, North, and America. Despite these advances, gaps remain in integrating intrinsic motivation with diverse cultural contexts and in applying interdisciplinary perspectives to address the complexities of primary education. The results underscore the dynamic nature of research in this field and its implications for the development of innovative educational strategies. This study provides valuable perceptions for researchers, educators and policymakers in emphasizing the need for continued exploration of intrinsic motivation as a foundation for fostering effective learning environments in primary education.