A scientometric study of pre-service teacher preparation for educational equity and social justice

Scientometric analysis of the literature on pre-service teacher preparation for educational equity and social justice was conducted. A systematic search in three databases was performed for publications spanning 1993-2024, retrieving 5,933 studies, which were analyzed using advanced software tools. In Phase One, three main clusters were identified in the literature, including: (1) social justice and teacher preparation, (2) inclusive education and special education, and (3) teaching practices and professional development. Further analyses identified clusters of themes including: inclusive education, pre-service teacher education, preservice teacher, teacher education, critiquing teacher preparation research, and preparing teachers. In Phase Two, a content analysis of the 10 most cited publications (N = 21) across the three databases was conducted. Five thematic clusters were identified, which mostly corroborated the scientometric results and provided a comprehensive understanding of the literature under investigation. Implications for teacher preparation in promoting social justice and equitable educational opportunities are discussed.