Advancing bibliometric analysis: Evidence-based guidelines with insights from senior journal editors

Bibliometric analysis is a powerful means of evaluating research. This article employs a sequential mixed-methods approach to enrich the understanding of bibliometric analysis and presents a structured guide to maximize the technique’s benefits. A thematically synthesized narrative commentary on bibliometric review papers, based on input from 53 senior editorial members of leading hospitality and tourism journals, constitutes the study’s foundation. Cutting-edge literature comprising 195 bibliometric investigations is also considered. Our evidence-based guidance provides scholars with a roadmap for conducting state-of-the-art bibliometric analyses. These suggestions are intended to improve the method’s quality and accessibility, affirming its utility. Ultimately, this paper seeks to enhance bibliometric studies’ clarity, rigor, and efficacy by presenting forward-looking, real-world insights. Its step-by-step guide will facilitate decision-making and advance the field’s theoretical and managerial understanding.