Thematic Analysis of Serious Game Research Trends in Iran and in the World

In today's digital age, serious games are commonly used and researched by researchers, experts, teachers, professors, doctors, parents and developers around the world for a variety of applications, including education and training. Therefore, a method of thematic analysis of the research trends was adopted in order to provide a clear picture of current research in Iran and internationally in the field of serious games in educational sciences. The purpose of this study is to determine the status of serious game research in Iran and internationally. For this purpose, ۱ Iranian article and ۲۴ international articles were extracted using systematic review and inclusion and exit criteria and analyzed using four themes: methodology, type of study, studied variables and technologies used. Thematic analysis showed that the focus of most international research is on methodology (qualitative and combined methods, experimental and quasi-experimental implementation approaches, questionnaire tool, non-random sampling, student subject, secondary school subject level and T, ANOVA and ANKOVA test analysis methods), explore study type, study variables (learning, motivation, engagement knowledge, behavior) and technology (computer). Compared to the focus of most international articles, the single Iranian article is similar in some themes (quasi-experimental method, non-random sampling, student subject, t-test analysis method, training variable, computer technology) and different in some themes (quantitative implementation approach, log data in the system tool, higher subject level, design study type). Based on the findings, some suggestions have been made for Iranian and international digital game researchers

کلیدواژه ها:

serious games in educational sciences ، Iranian research ، international research ، research trends ، thematic analysis