FENOMENA RESEARCH GAP DALAM PENELITIAN PENDIDIKAN AGAMA ISLAM: SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW TERHADAP PUBLIKASI TAHUN 2021–2025

Nirva Diana (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan Lampung)
Arif Atma Mahendra Arif (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan Lampung)
Ahmad Redho Qurrota A'yun (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan Lampung)
Burhanudin Khairi (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan Lampung)
Defriyadi Defriyadi (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan Lampung)

EDUCATIONAL: Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan dan Pengajaran
Vol. 6 No. 3 (2026)

The development of Islamic Religious Education (IRE) research has increased significantly in recent years in terms of both publication quantity and thematic diversity. However, this growth has not been accompanied by sufficient methodological diversity, creating potential research gaps that may hinder the comprehensive advancement of the field. This study aims to analyze the phenomenon of research gaps in Islamic Religious Education research through a methodological review of publications published between 2021 and 2025. The study employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach by analyzing 30 articles retrieved from Google Scholar, SINTA, and Scopus databases based on predetermined inclusion criteria. Data were analyzed using content analysis to identify trends in research approaches, research designs, data collection techniques, and dominant research themes. The findings indicate that Islamic Religious Education research is still predominantly characterized by qualitative approaches, particularly library research and case studies, whereas quantitative methods, mixed methods, experimental research, and digital data-based approaches remain relatively underutilized. Furthermore, recurring themes were identified in learning, character education, and digital literacy, while methodological studies, program evaluation, and innovative research designs have received comparatively limited attention. These findings reveal the existence of methodological gaps that require greater attention to enhance the quality, diversity, and scholarly contribution of Islamic Religious Education research. Therefore, strengthening methodological competencies among researchers and promoting methodological diversification are essential for fostering more innovative and impactful research in the field. ABSTRAK Perkembangan penelitian Pendidikan Agama Islam (PAI) dalam beberapa tahun terakhir menunjukkan peningkatan yang signifikan baik dari segi kuantitas maupun keragaman tema kajian. Namun, peningkatan jumlah publikasi tersebut belum sepenuhnya diikuti oleh keberagaman metodologi penelitian sehingga berpotensi menimbulkan research gap yang memengaruhi perkembangan keilmuan PAI. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis fenomena research gap dalam penelitian Pendidikan Agama Islam melalui kajian metodologis terhadap publikasi ilmiah tahun 2021–2025. Penelitian menggunakan metode Systematic Literature Review dengan menganalisis 30 artikel yang diperoleh dari basis data Google Scholar, SINTA, dan Scopus berdasarkan kriteria inklusi yang telah ditetapkan. Data dianalisis menggunakan teknik content analysis untuk mengidentifikasi kecenderungan pendekatan, desain, teknik pengumpulan data, serta tema penelitian yang dominan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penelitian PAI masih didominasi oleh pendekatan kualitatif, khususnya studi kepustakaan dan studi kasus, sementara penggunaan metode kuantitatif, mixed methods, penelitian eksperimen, dan pendekatan berbasis data digital masih relatif terbatas. Selain itu, ditemukan pengulangan tema pada aspek pembelajaran, pendidikan karakter, dan literasi digital, sedangkan kajian metodologis, evaluasi program, dan inovasi desain penelitian masih kurang mendapat perhatian. Temuan ini menunjukkan adanya kesenjjangan metodologis yang perlu diatasi melalui penguatan kompetensi penelitian dan diversifikasi pendekatan metodologis guna meningkatkan kualitas penelitian Pendidikan Agama Islam.