Mapping music education research in Mainland China (2007–2019): A metadata-based literature analysis

This metadata-based literature study provides a comprehensive mapping of China’s music education by analysing 3,257 Chinese research articles published during 2007–2019. The selection of the articles is based on careful inspections of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database and rigorous coding of literature attributes. The analysis of descriptive and analytical attributes showed (a) dominance of qualitative over quantitative/mixed-method research paradigm, (b) a strong preference for conceptual over empirical studies and (c) a policy-reinforced research orientation. The prime inference from the findings also raised concerns on several ‘neglected’ research areas and quality issues in the selected literature. Copyright © 2021 The Author(s).