Mapping methods in careers research: A review and future research agenda

Based on recent developments in science mapping techniques, this chapter presents a review of methodologies that have been used in the field of career studies. We analyzed 831 methods sections from all published articles in five careers journals between 2014 and 2018 to uncover the key methodologies in the field. Our main conclusions are that quantitative methods dominate career studies, although the specific methods applied vary considerably between the clusters we revealed. Furthermore, we found that the methods used in career studies seem to be intricately linked to the discipline that the studies can be tied to, and the journals that publish these studies. We conclude the chapter with recommendations for future research, including the use of more long-term temporal designs, more exchange of knowledge and approaches between disciplines, and an awareness of existing norms and cultures in disciplines.