Scientific Discourse amongst the Scholars of the Oxford Journal of Islamic Studies: Bibliometric Study, and Geopolitical Analysis and Insights

This paper examines the state of scholarly communication within the field of Islamic Studies as reflected by the Oxford Journal of Islamic Studies (OJIS). The field of Islamic studies has witnessed significant growth in recent years, with a surge in publications covering a wide range of subfields. The paper highlights challenges in scholarly communication, particularly in introducing a peer-review culture and fostering voluntary peer-review in Islamic studies. The study also explores the impact of the emphasis on research and publications in universities in the Arab Gulf countries, potentially shifting the focus from teaching to research. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of OJIS publications, encompassing articles, books, and book reviews from 1990 to 2021. Through bibliometric analysis, it assesses the academic prominence of Islamic Studies, investigates publication patterns, scrutinizes book selection criteria, compares articles, books, and reviews, contextualizes publications within their geopolitical milieu, and offers recommendations for future research. The study reveals shifts in publication patterns influenced by global events, while also highlighting highly cited articles and influential authors. Furthermore, it provides insights into the thematic evolution of research trends, demonstrating the multi-disciplinarity of OJIS publications. The paper concludes with a geographical analysis, showcasing the countries with the most significant contributions to OJIS publications. Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of Islamic Studies scholarship and its global impact.