A Comparative Analysis of Educational Leadership Research: Insights from U.S. and China based on CiteSpace

Abstract

Research on educational leadership in the United States began in the early 1980s, originating from principles of industrial and business management, with leadership theories and practices from business being adapted for educational settings. Over time, educational leadership theories have evolved through various interdisciplinary perspectives. The United States has produced extensive research on educational leadership, providing valuable insights for Chinese scholars. Most Chinese research is based on American experiences, with little comparative analysis between Chinese and American studies, and often relies on subjective content interpretation with limited use of scientific tools. This study uses CiteSpace, a scientific measurement software, to visually analyze Chinese and American research literature. It aims to objectively compare educational leadership research between the two countries, offering new ideas and perspectives for Chinese researchers.