The scientific literature is known as one of the most important carrier, which the knowledge of the human is inherited and transferred by. With the rapid increase of knowledge, the cite and cited relation among scientific literatures has formed a large scale citation network. Therefore, the citation network can embody the characteristics of a certain discipline better in its development process. To understand the feature of the research areas of "collaborative learning" more deeply as it is developing, this article uses a method called social network analysis to study the citation networks of "collaborative learning" in the field of domestic, and investigate the way of transmission of knowledge within the field of "collaborative learning", the circulating condition of knowledge, the research in this field, academic groups which are being, and so on.First, this article not only explains the purpose, significance and background of the study, as well as related work in and abroad, but also introduces its ideas and whole content.Second, it introduces the relevant theories, methods, and tools used in the study, the most important thing is that a research program has been designed, ready for future research.Third, from the perspective of the journal, it discusses the circulation in journals and distribution of "collaborative learning" knowledge. At the same time, the properties of the network are measured to judge the circulation of "collaborative learning" knowledge in the network. And the circulating way of knowledge’s diffusion in the network.Finally, three works have been done in Part4. Firstly, the social network analysis is used to measure the central indicators of each article, that is used to determine the affection of literature on knowledge’s circulation in the network. Secondly, by using k-core of social network analysis to analyze the small groups of network, it is consulted that the core content and sub-core content among the studies of "collaborative learning research" area. Third, through the analysis of both author and citation matrix, it is discovered the academic community within the research area of "collaborative learning". Scientists are important to promote the development of a discipline or research field, so analysis of the academic community in the area of "collaborative learning" contributes to our understanding of its development. |