A decade of digital competency: emerging themes and trends

Akti Aslan S., AYAZ A., Cekmez E.

ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE, vol.13, no.4, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 13 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1098/rsos.251782
  • Journal Name: ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, INSPEC, Linguistic Bibliography, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study applies latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) to analyse 2288 articles on digital competency (DC) from Scopus (2015-2024). It identifies key research themes, tracks their evolution and highlights shifts in research priorities. Fourteen topics emerged, with 'Teacher Education' being the most prominent. Post-COVID-19, DC research surged, with notable growth in 'Scales for Digital Competency Measurement' and 'Higher Education and COVID-19 Digital Transformation'. 'Business and Industry 4.0 Transformation' showed the highest inter-topic acceleration. Conversely, interest in 'Social Media Use' and Psychological Well-Being' declined. Although smaller in volume, the 'Healthcare' theme gained momentum. Visualization revealed thematic clusters around education, business transformation and assessment methods. The findings demonstrate a shift toward emerging fields, reflecting technological advances and evolving societal needs.