The Research into Dark Mode: A Systematic Review Using Two-Stage Approach and S-O-R Framework

Dark mode in mobile applications has drawn widespread attention in business, and many users choose to use dark mode in their mobile applications for different purposes. However, it is still an emerging field in the academic circle, as there are not many systematic studies on the definition and concept of dark mode. Besides, scarce are the scholarly inferences regarding contemporary investigative undertakings and future advancements concerning the dark mode. The pros and cons of dark mode are still debatable. In order to bridge this gap, this paper undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the scholarship concerning dark mode across diverse disciplines, with the aim of building a fundamental research process for studying the concept of dark mode and user experience to establish a more robust groundwork for further exploration of the correlation between dark mode and user experience. Based on the Scopus database, this paper searched and collected articles on dark mode research within the last 30 years via the two-step approach. Thirty-five articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This paper first analysed the themes, background, theoretical foundations and research methods on dark mode. Then it classified and integrated the variable factors of dark mode research based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework. It ultimately proposed a research framework explaining the more profound concept of dark mode and the relationship between variable factors, user experience, and their behaviours. In addition, this paper also identified existing gaps in the current document studies and outlined potential opportunities for future research on dark mode.