Comparative Analysis of Metaverse Research in China and Abroad

The metaverse has gained explosive popularity in academic circles since 2021, leading to a rapid emergence of research results domestically and internationally. This article employs qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze metaverse-related papers from “Ei Compendex Web” “Web of Science Core Collection” and CNKI to see the status quo of the metaverse research both domestically and internationally. The study finds significant differences in China and abroad, despite some overlap. Research on the metaverse is still in its early stages, with a few high-productivity authors but no core author groups or research teams. Journals and funds have paid little attention to metaverse research. Research abroad began earlier and has continued for a longer period of time than in China, but domestic scholar maintain a higher research interest and domestic journals have a higher acceptance rate than foreign journals. Research fields and hot topics also differ between China and abroad, overseas journals focusing more on natural sciences and engineering, especially computer science, while domestic journals favors communication studies, with a higher concentration of disciplines in China than abroad. To promote metaverse research in China and improve its international influence, measures should be implemented to encourage and guide metaverse research, including cultivating research teams, increasing funding projects, especially corporate funds, and encouraging journal submission and acceptance.