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Sustainable Development Goal 4 and Education Research: A Review of Polish Specifics Against the Background of Global Trends

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  • Valery Okulich-Kazarin

    (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Humanitas University, ul. Kilińskiego 43, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
    Institute of Management and FiR, University of Business and Applied Sciences VARSOVIA, al. Jerozolimskie 133A, 02-304 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Analysis of publication intensity is an important tool for following research trends. Recent studies have recorded a decrease in the number of Polish publications on the topics of “economy” and “energy”, while global trends showed an increase in the number of publications. The present study undertakes a review of research on the topic of “education” (Sustainable Development Goal 4, SDG 4) based on the number of scientific publications in the Scopus database from 2017 to 2024. The objective of the review was to examine whether a discernible decline in the number of publications by Polish researchers in the field of education research has indeed occurred since 2021. Eight research hypotheses were proposed and tested. The following methods were used: graphical interpretation of 1,116,101 search results from scientific sources, scientometric and correlation analyses, and an analysis of the top 10 most cited publications on this topic, both in Poland and globally. The scientific contribution of this study is in testing and evaluating the hypotheses: the first, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the eighth hypotheses were rejected; the second and the seventh hypotheses were accepted. For the first time, the data obtained confirmed a serious problem in Polish science: since 2021, Poland’s position in the global scientific research market has been declining. The review showed the most popular branches of research in Poland and in the world. These are studies on the use of artificial intelligence, which corresponds to the sixth technological paradigm. The review also showed some differences in Polish specifics and global trends. The practical value lies in managerial recommendations for the Polish Government aimed at improving research on SDG 4. The knowledge gained advances modern knowledge about the management of education research in the context of SDG 4. This review is an important contribution to further research on the sustainability of education worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Valery Okulich-Kazarin, 2025. "Sustainable Development Goal 4 and Education Research: A Review of Polish Specifics Against the Background of Global Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2747-:d:1616081
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    References listed on IDEAS

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