Cyber-bullying research in Kenya: a meta-analysis
Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication
ISSN: 2514-9342
Article publication date: 18 May 2021
Issue publication date: 12 May 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Cyber-bullying is a form of harassment that is perpetrated using electronic media. The practice has become increasingly common especially with the growing ubiquity of social media platforms. Most cyber-bullying cases inevitably occur on Facebook because it is the most preferred social media platform. However, little is known about cyber-bullying research in Kenya. This paper aims to analyse the quantity, quality, visibility and authorship trends of scholarly publications on cyber-bullying from and/or about Kenya.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted as a systematic literature review. A meta-analysis approach was used. Bibliometrics approaches were used to conduct the analysis. Data on the publications was collected from Google Scholar using Harzing's “Publish or Perish” software and then analysed and presented using Microsoft Excel, Notepad and VOSviewer.
Findings
The study yielded 359 research publications on cyber-bullying in Kenya. There was a gradual increment in the number of publications, peaking in 2018. Nearly half of the publications have not been cited indicating low uptake of research on cyber-bullying in Kenya. It also emerged that most of the research has been published on subscription channels thereby restricting their visibility, access and use. Minimal collaboration in research on cyber-bullying in Kenya was also observed since 67.4% of the publications were written by a single (one) author. The authors conclude that the quantity, quality and visibility of research on cyber-bullying in Kenya is low.
Originality/value
This is an empirical study. The findings can be used to promote and mainstream research on cyber-bullying in Kenya.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper is a product of the “Pixels hurt more than sticks and stones: Confronting cyber-bullying on Facebook” research project conducted by the Technical University of Kenya. This project was funded by an unrestricted gift from Facebook.
Citation
Kwanya, T., Kogos, A.C., Kibe, L.W., Ogolla, E.O. and Onsare, C. (2022), "Cyber-bullying research in Kenya: a meta-analysis", Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, Vol. 71 No. 4/5, pp. 208-229. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-08-2020-0124
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited