From Lockdowns to Publications: The Evolution of COVID-19 Research in the Face of Travel Restrictions

Abstract

Object: This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the scholarly literature on COVID-19 and travel restrictions, using VOSviewer and Scopus data sets, to understand the evolution, key trends, and impact of this research area since the onset of the pandemic. Methods: Utilizing a combination of publication-related metrics, citation-related metrics, and citation-and-publication-related metrics, this analysis encompasses 1,484 documents sourced from the Scopus database. The study focuses on the identification of major contributing countries, institutions, and keywords, as well as patterns in co-authorship and citations. Findings: The research highlights a significant increase in academic output related to COVID-19 and travel restrictions, particularly in 2021 and 2022. The United States, the United Kingdom, and China emerge as leading contributors. Key themes include the efficacy of travel restrictions in managing the pandemic and the socio-economic implications of these measures. Additionally, the study reveals prominent collaboration networks and influential publications in this field. Conclusions: The bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the global research landscape on COVID-19 and travel restrictions. It underscores the critical role of international collaboration and multidisciplinary approaches in addressing the pandemic. Furthermore, the insights gained can inform future research directions and policy decisions in managing global health emergencies.