Analysis of Research Trends Related to Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and at Risk of Disabilities: An Integrated Exploration of Previous Studies Included in Academic Journals

The purpose of this study is to analyze domestic research trends related to infants and toddlers with disabilities and at risk of disabilities, and to explore the research contents of previous studies and suggest future directions for research on infants and toddlers with disabilities and at risk of disabilities based on the results. To this end, a total of 108 papers published in domestic academic journals from 2019 to 2023 were selected and analyzed, and the overall research trends and research contents of previous studies were specifically examined. As a result of the study, the research on infants and toddlers with disabilities and at risk of disabilities was conducted the most in 2022 and has been conducted steadily until recently. Second, the research topic was found to be the most research on factors for support measures for infants and toddlers with disabilities and at risk of disabilities. Third, the research subjects were mostly studies targeting school staff, and among them, studies targeting teachers were the main focus. Fourth, the research method was literature research, followed by quantitative research and qualitative research. In order to explore the research contents of previous studies, quantitative and qualitative research were first examined. In survey research, teacher factor research was conducted the most, in experimental research, intervention program factor research was conducted more, and in comparative research, parent factor research was conducted more. In qualitative research, interview research, research content, support measure factors were conducted the most. As a result of measuring previous research by dividing it into research factors, research subjects, and research methods by year, research on support measure factors was conducted the most in 2020, and research was conducted at a consistently high frequency until 2023. Research subjects on teachers and staff increased by year, and in terms of research methods, the frequency of qualitative research was gradually increasing. Based on these research results, the direction of future research on infants and toddlers with disabilities and at risk of disabilities was discussed.