Recent years have witnessed a revival of interest in curriculum development on national level and European levels (Sivesind, van den Akker, & Rosenmund, 2012). New or substantially revised curricula appeared both in Europe (e.g. Finland, England) and overseas (Australia, New Zealand). Different aspects of this trend have been reflected in literature (e.g. Priestley & Biesta, 2013; Kuiper & Berkvens, 2013). There are many theoretical positions within the field of curricular theory. Different methodological approaches and tools used for analysing or comparing curricula (Adamson & Morris, 2007; Thijs, & van den Akker, 2009). However, it is well known that scholars from different countries contribute disproportionately to international scientific journals.  It is true that researchers from the most developed parts of the world sometimes conduct research on other countries than where they live (Dolby & Rahman, 2008). Despite that, it is very probable that some countries or jurisdictions and their curricular frameworks are under-represented in the curricular research.

The purpose of this study is to survey the recent curricular scholarship with particular emphasis on comparative and empirical studies of the curricular policies and documents and to identify the gaps in literature. Our research questions are: What countries are the major contributors to the field of curricular theory and research? What sort of documents are analysed in the literature most often? Which countries/jurisdictions are not covered (with particular focus on Europe)? What are the main issues and problems studied? What theories influence contemporary curricular research? What research designs and research methods are used most often? And, finally, what are the main findings?

Adamson B., & Morris, P. (2007). Comparing curricula. In M. Bray, B. Adamson, & M. Mason (Eds.), Comparative education research: Approaches and Methods. Hong Kong: Comparative Education Research Centre, University of Hong Kong; Springer. Dolby N., & Rahman A. (2008). Research in international education. Review of Educational Research 78(3):676-726. Kuiper, W., & Berkvens, J. (Eds.). Balancing curriculum regulation and freedom across Europe. CIDREE Yearbook 2013. Enschede, the Netherlands: SLO. Priestley, M., & Biesta, G. (Eds.). (2013). Reinventing the curriculum: New trends in curriculum policy and practice. A&C Black. Sivesind, K, van den Akker, J., & Rosenmund, M. (2012). The European curriculum: restructuring and renewal, European Educational Research Journal, 11(3), 320-327. Thijs, A., & van den Akker, J. (Eds.) (2009). Curriculum in development. Enschede: SLO.