Dynamics and structure of ethnological research in the Central Asian region: A cross-country bibliometric review
Dinámica y estructura de la investigación etnológica en la región de Asia Central: una revisión bibliométrica transnacional
Kalybek K. Samal K. Magauiya S. Sanat K. Askar D.
28 October 2026Pro-Metrics
Iberoamerican Journal of Science Measurement and Communication
2026#6Issue 1
Objective. The objective of this study was to analyze the dynamics and structural patterns of scientific research on ethnological and ethnic studies in Central Asia. The study identified thematic communities, national research profiles, and collaborative networks between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Design/Methodology/Approach. A quantitative bibliometric approach was employed, utilizing metadata retrieved from OpenAlex. The dataset under consideration contained 1,859 documents published up to 2025 that contained the term “ethnic” in the titles or abstracts. The analysis encompassed descriptive statistics, classification of collaboration types, and examination of co-authorship and term co-occurrence networks. The examination of collaboration networks employed degree and eigenvector centrality metrics, while thematic structures were identified through normalized co-occurrence mapping utilizing the association strength method and clustered using modularity analysis. Results/Discussion. The results indicated a fragmented regional collaboration structure, characterized by weak intraregional cooperation and strong dependence on extraregional partners, particularly Russia. In contrast, thematic analysis demonstrated a cohesive core that emphasized the sociological, political, and anthropological dimensions of ethnicity. A number of significant national differences were observed: Kazakhstan demonstrated the most diversified research agenda, while Uzbekistan and Tajikistan placed significant emphasis on issues of historical and territorial identity. Kyrgyzstan’s focus was on sociopolitical perspectives, and Turkmenistan exhibited a limited and fragmented thematic profile. Conclusions. The study demonstrated that scientific research on ethnicity in Central Asia reflected the broader historical, political, and geopolitical dynamics that shaped the region. Thematic convergence, indicative of shared analytical frameworks, was accompanied by patterns of collaboration that revealed persistent structural asymmetries and limited regional integration in knowledge production. Originality/Value. This study provided the first comprehensive bibliometric mapping of ethnological research in Central Asia, offering novel insights into the structure of the field, national research agendas, and regional knowledge networks. This study contributed to the methodological framework by integrating the collaborative approach and thematic network analysis to enhance the comprehension of how academic production reflected sociopolitical contexts.
bibliometric analysis , Central Asia , ethnicity , ethnological studies , scientific collaboration , scientific production
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Otandastar Foundation, Kazakhstan
RILS Research Institute, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, KazISS, Kazakhstan
Department of History of the Karakalpak Scientific Research Institute of Humanities, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan
Otandastar Foundation
RILS Research Institute
Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies
Department of History of the Karakalpak Scientific Research Institute of Humanities
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