This study aims to systematically analyze the research trends on facilitators and identify implications for research directions and development issues in the field of facilitators. To this end, a total of 78 articles, including 39 theses and 39 dissertations, on facilitator research from 2009 to 2024 were analyzed, categorized by article type, research subject, academic field, journal, research method, and research topic. The results showed that, first, facilitator research has been steadily increasing since 2009, with a balance of theses and dissertations. Second, facilitators, subject matter experts, programs, and materials were the most studied subjects. Third, the field of study was most often published in the field of continuing education. Fourth, the journals were active in education-related fields such as continuing education-HRD, learner-centered instruction, agricultural education, and human resource development. Fifth, the research methods were predominantly qualitative, especially case studies, with a few quantitative and mixed methods studies. Sixth, the most common research topics were facilitator competencies, roles, techniques, and models. This study is significant in that it comprehensively analyzes the current status and flow of facilitator research at a time when facilitator research is actively being conducted, suggests future research directions and issues, and provides implications for improving facilitator education and training.