SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF HIJAB RESEARCH: BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF PUBLICATIONS IN THE SCOPUS DATABASE (FROM 2002 TO 2022)

Abstract

Sociological aspects in the study of the hijab are actualizing the growing scientific interest and research prospects from the point of view of increasing religious practices of wearing it among women. The article proposes a “new optics” based on bibliometric analysis using modern data analysis tools such as R Studio and VosViewer, which allowed the authors to identify and systematize possible trends and periods of increased activity in scientific publications. The purpose of this paper is to identify key trends and dynamics in the development of the topic, as well as the formation of thematic clusters that characterize the studied area over the past twenty years from 2002 to 2022. In this paper, the authors applied a bibliometric methodology, including analysis of a data set of 303 highly cited scientific publications, 10 of the most influential journals and productive countries in the field of hijab studies. The practical significance of this paper creates the basis for further research in the field of sociology of religion.

The article was prepared within the grant funding from the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (AR19679699 “Religiosity/spirituality, well-being and identity of Kazakhstani youth: a comparative country study”).

Key words: social structure, socio-economic inequality, religious identity, faith, religious belief.