Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide an understanding of the current status of picture book-related research in Korea. For this purpose, 1,660 picture book-related research papers produced in Korea by 2021 were analyzed. The results revealed through the analysis are summarized as follows. First, research papers began to appear in the mid-1990s and began to increase significantly around 2010. Second, the journal with the most research papers was 󰡔Journal of Children’s Literature and Education󰡕, accounting for 17.7% of the total. Third, the representative researchers who led the production of the papers are Eun-Ja Hyun and Hea-Sook Jo. Fourth, by research type, individual research papers accounted for 39% and joint research 61%. Fifth, as a result of the analysis of the research topic, the study of the contents (analysis) of picture books (33.4%), the study of the effect of picture books (29.6%), and the study of perception, reaction, and experience of picture books (18.0%) were in order. Sixth, as a result of the research method analysis, experimental studies (35.7%), content analysis (33.7%), literature studies (13.3%), and qualitative studies (9.3%) were in order. Based on the results of the analysis, the researcher suggested diversifying the research production route, expanding the trend of collaboration between universities and the field, diversifying research topics, and enhancing the validity and diversity of research methods.