Replication Data for: Vocational Training in Correctional Settings: A Bibliometric Mapping of Global Literature

This study aims to explore the development, conceptual framework, and intellectual networks in academic literature on vocational training programs and inmate rehabilitation during the correctional process through bibliometric analysis. A total of 61 articles, sourced from both the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases, were analyzed using the R-based Bibliometrix package. The research included performance analysis, conceptual mapping, trend analysis, and the application of literature life cycle (S-curve) models. The analysis shows that scholarly output in this area gained significant momentum after 2018 and is projected to reach its peak in 2024. Performance metrics indicate that nearly half of the literature originates in the United States, with international author collaboration remaining limited. Conceptual structure analysis reveals that the “education, employment, and recidivism” paradigm forms the core of the field, with the premise that vocational education reduces recidivism by improving employability. Trend analysis suggests a shift from abstract rehabilitation concepts toward evidence-based outcomes, with a focus on program effectiveness and meta-analyses. Overall, while the field of prison vocational education demonstrates interdisciplinary and evidence-based growth, it would benefit from international comparative studies to promote the sharing of best practices and reduce conceptual fragmentation本研究旨在通过文献计量分析（bibliometric analysis），探究矫正过程中职业培训项目与罪犯康复相关学术文献的发展脉络、概念框架及知识网络。研究共纳入来自科学引文索引（Web of Science, WoS）与斯高帕斯数据库（Scopus）的61篇文献，采用基于R语言的Bibliometrix工具包开展分析。分析内容涵盖绩效分析、概念映射、趋势分析，以及文献生命周期（S曲线）模型的应用。分析结果显示，该领域的学术产出在2018年后呈现显著增长态势，预计将于2024年达到峰值。绩效分析指标表明，近半数文献的产出主体为美国，且国际作者间的学术合作仍较为有限。概念结构分析显示，“教育、就业与再犯率（recidivism）”范式构成该领域的核心，其核心预设为职业教育通过提升就业能力降低再犯率。趋势分析则揭示出研究方向从抽象的康复理念转向循证结果，研究焦点集中于项目有效性与元分析（meta-analyses）。总体而言，尽管监狱职业教育领域正呈现跨学科与循证导向的发展态势，但仍需开展国际比较研究，以推动最佳实践的共享并减少概念碎片化问题。