Information Literacy Research Trends in the Last Two Decades: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Outlook

Abstract

This study analyzes global research trends in Information Literacy (IL) from 2000 to 2025 using bibliometric and thematic analysis of 1,243 studies retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science. The findings reveal an annual growth rate of 7.8%, with research activity peaking in 2021. Six thematic clusters were identified, illustrating the evolution of IL from basic search and retrieval skills toward emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and algorithmic literacy. Across the maturity dimensions, skill-based literacy scored the highest globally, while algorithmic literacy remained the least developed. The study proposes an Integrated AI–IL Framework that combines the ACRL Framework and the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) model, introducing a new algorithmic awareness dimension. Furthermore, it identifies three significant research gaps: trust in AI outputs, AI attribution standards, and integration of IL with data governance frameworks. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Information Literacy has transformed from a purely technical skill set into a cognitive–ethical–algorithmic system, essential for education, research integrity, and institutional data policy development.