From Feedback to Artificial Intelligence: A Bibliometric Mapping Analysis of the Thematic Evolution of EFL Writing Assessment Research Trends (2014–2024)

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research trends in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) writing assessment from 2014 to 2024. Using data exclusively sourced from the Scopus database, this review mapped the growth, intellectual structure, and thematic evolution of the field over the past decade. The analysis included 697 peer-reviewed articles and conference papers, following systematic screening and exclusion criteria. Advanced bibliometric tools such as Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and Biblioshiny were employed for their complementary strengths: Bibliometrix for statistical analysis, VOSviewer for visualising network relationships (co-authorship, co-citation, keyword co-occurrence), and Biblioshiny for thematic and temporal analyses through an accessible interface. The findings revealed a marked increase in research output, particularly after 2018, with Asia – especially China, Indonesia, and Iran – emerging as primary centres of productivity and collaboration. Core topics remained focused on formative assessment, feedback, and writing performance, while new themes such as automated writing evaluation, artificial intelligence, and digital technology integration have rapidly gained prominence. The study highlights the dynamic interplay between enduring foundational issues and emerging directions, reflecting the field’s adaptability to technological and pedagogical change. This bibliometric mapping provides critical insights for scholars, educators, and policymakers, supporting evidence-based innovation and guiding future research agendas in EFL writing assessment.