Problem-Based Learning in Mathematics Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Key Trends and Future Directions in the Last Decade
Article Number: e2025419 | Available Online: September 2025 | DOI: 10.22521/edupij.2025.18.419
Sufri Mashuri , Suradi Tahmir , Ahmad Talib , Hisyam Ihsan
Full text PDF |
6171 |
2641
Abstract
|
Background/purpose. This study aims to explore the research trends, influential contributors, and thematic developments in PBL within the context of school-level mathematics education over the period 2015–2024. Materials/methods. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 430 documents indexed in the Scopus database. The analysis employed R-Biblioshiny and VOSviewer tools to examine publication patterns, author and institutional contributions, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic clustering. Results. The findings reveal a significant increase in PBL-related publications over the past decade. Indonesia, particularly Universitas Negeri Semarang and Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, emerged as leading contributors. Capraro M.M., Arnawa I.M., and Capraro R.M. were identified as the most prolific authors, while Han and Laforce had the highest citation impact. The Journal of Physics: Conference Series and AIP Conference Proceedings were the most frequently cited publication outlets. Three major themes were identified: the development of critical thinking skills, the integration of PBL with STEM education, and the incorporation of educational technologies. |
Conclusion. This study maps the growth of PBL research in mathematics education and highlights future directions, including AI and transdisciplinary approaches. These insights support the development of more innovative and technology-based practices
Keywords: Problem-Based Learning, mathematics education, schools, educational technology, STEM
ReferencesAba-Oli, Z., Koyas, K., & Husen, A. (2024). Higher-order thinking skills-oriented problem-based learning interventions in mathematics: a systematic literature review. School Science and Mathematics, n/a(n/a), 1–18. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.12676
Abushkin, H. K. H., Kharitonova, A. A., Khvastunov, N. N., & Gorshunov, M. V. (2018). Problem-based learning in secondary school: status and prospects. Cypriot Journal of Educational Science, 13(4), 444–450. https://doi.org/10.18844/cjes.v13i4.3896
Al Said, R. S., Du, X., Al Khatib, H. A. H. M., Romanowski, M. H., & Barham, A. I. I. (2019). Math teachers' beliefs, practices, and belief change in implementing problem-based learning in Qatari primary governmental schools. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 15(5). https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/105849
Amiruddin, A., Baharuddin, F. R., Takbir, T., & Setialaksana, W. (2023). May student-centered principles affect active learning and its counterpart? An empirical study of Indonesian curriculum implementation. SAGE Open, 13(4), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231214375
Arifin, S., Setyosari, P., Sa’dijah, C., & Kuswandi, D. (2020). The effect of problem-based learning by cognitive style on critical thinking skills and students’ retention. Journal of Technology and Science Education, 10(2), 271–281. https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.790
Attard, C., Berger, N., & Mackenzie, E. (2021). The positive influence of inquiry-based learning teacher professional learning and industry partnerships on student engagement with STEM. Frontiers in Education, 6, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.693221
Caroni, A., & Nikoulina, A. (2021). Problem-based learning in online settings during COVID-19. International Journal of Management, Knowledge and Learning, 10, 21–30. https://doi.org/10.53615/2232-5697.10.21-30
Chen, J., Kolmos, A., & Du, X. (2021). Forms of implementation and challenges of PBL in engineering education: a review of literature. European Journal of Engineering Education, 46(1), 90–115. https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2020.1718615
Darmawansah, D., Hwang, G. J., Chen, M. R. A., & Liang, J. C. (2023). Trends and research foci of robotics-based STEM education: a systematic review from diverse angles based on the technology-based learning model. International Journal of STEM Education, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-023-00400-3
Dorimana, A., Uworwabayeho, A., & Nizeyimana, G. (2022). Enhancing upper secondary learners’ problem-solving abilities using problem-based learning in mathematics. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21(8), 235–252. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.8.14
Goos, M., Carreira, S., & Namukasa, I. K. (2023). Mathematics and interdisciplinary STEM education: recent developments and future directions. ZDM - Mathematics Education, 55(7), 1199–1217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-023-01533-z
Guo, Y. M., Huang, Z. L., Guo, J., Li, H., Guo, X. R., & Nkeli, M. J. (2019). Bibliometric analysis on smart cities research. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/su11133606
Inpinit, J., & Inprasit, U. (2016). The effect of using PBL with the STEM education concept on the development of mathematical conceptual understanding. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1775. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4965157
Izzati, L. R. (2021). The effect of problem-based learning to improve students’ metacognition skills in solving mathematical problems based on cognitive style. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1918(4). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1918/4/042073
Jadhav, M., Shaligram, D., Bernstein, B., DeJong, S., Hunt, J., Ong, S. H., Guerrero, A., & Skokauskas, N. (2023). Five lessons for effectively transitioning problem-based learning to online delivery. International Medical Education, 2(1), 35–40. https://doi.org/10.3390/ime2010004
Junianto, & Wijaya, A. (2019). Developing students’ mathematical literacy through problem based learning. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1320. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1320/1/012035
Kaledio, P., Robert, A., & Frank, L. (2024). The impact of artificial intelligence on students’ learning experience. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4716747
Karan, E., & Brown, L. (2022). Enhancing student’s problem -solving skills through project-based learning. Journal of Problem Based Learning in Higher Education, 10(1), 74–87. https://doi.org/10.54337/ojs.jpblhe.v10i1.6887
Lopez-Caudana, E., Ramirez-Montoya, M. S., Martínez-Pérez, S., & Rodríguez-Abitia, G. (2020). Using robotics to enhance active learning in mathematics: a multi-scenario study. Mathematics, 8(12), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/math8122163
Magaji, A., Adjani, M., & Coombes, S. (2024). A systematic review of preservice science teachers’ experience of problem-based learning and implementing it in the classroom. Education Sciences, 14(3), 301. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14030301
Magdalena, I., Fadhillahwati, N. F., Amalia, R., & Farhana, S. (2023). Improving mathematics learning outcomes through problem based learning (PBL) learning model for 4Th grade students. Romeo Review of Multidisciplinary Education Culture and Pedagogy, 2(2), 78–82. https://doi.org/10.55047/romeo.v2i2.692
Meke, K. D. P., Jailani, J., Wutsqa, D. U., & Alfi, H. D. (2019). Problem based learning using manipulative materials to improve student interest of mathematics learning. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1157(3). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1157/3/032099
Nasrum, A., Salido, A., & Chairuddin, C. (2025). Unveiling emerging trends and potential research themes in future ethnomathematics studies: a global bibliometric analysis (from inception to 2024). International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 24(2), 206–226. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.24.2.11
Ng, W., & Fergusson, J. (2020). Engaging high school girls in interdisciplinary STEAM. Science Education International, 31(3), 283–294. https://doi.org/10.33828/sei.v31.i3.7
Nisa’, K., Nasrullah, A., Hidayat, A., Mahuda, I., & Bhat, I. A. (2023). Problem-based learning in improving problem-solving ability and interest in learning mathematics: an empirical study. International Journal of Mathematics and Mathematics Education, 1(3), 206–217. https://doi.org/10.56855/ijmme.v1i3.725
Nurlaily, V. A., Soegiyanto, H., & Usodo, B. (2019). Elementary school teachers’ obstacles in the implementation of problem-based learning model in mathematics learning. In Journal on Mathematics Education (Vol. 10, Issue 2, pp. 229–238). https://doi.org/10.22342/jme.10.2.5386.229-238
Passas, I. (2024). Bibliometric analysis: the main steps. Encyclopedia, 4(2), 1014–1025. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4020065
Prasetya, D. D., Wibawa, A. P., Hirashima, T., & Hayashi, Y. (2020). Designing rich interactive content for blended learning: A case study from Indonesia. Electronic Journal of E-Learning, 18(4), 276–287. https://doi.org/10.34190/EJEL.20.18.4.001
Putri, D. A. A., Haryanto, H., Ardiansyah, A. R., Kumullah, R., Salido, A., & Kenedi, A. K. (2023). The augmented reality for mathematics learning in Scopus database: a bibliometric analysis. International Conference on Teaching and Learning, 1, 202–216.
Rehman, N., Huang, X., Mahmood, A., AlGerafi, M. A. M., & Javed, S. (2024). Project-based learning as a catalyst for 21st-Century skills and student engagement in the math classroom. Heliyon, 10(23), e39988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39988
Rézio, S., Andrade, M. P., & Teodoro, M. F. (2022). Problem-based learning and applied mathematics. Mathematics, 10(16), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3390/math10162862
Roberts, T., Maiorca, C., Jackson, C., & Mohr-Schroeder, M. (2022). Integrated STEM as problem-solving practices. Investigations in Mathematics Learning, 14(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/19477503.2021.2024721
Salido, A., Haryanto, H., Kenedi, A. K., & Putri, D. A. A. (2024). The use of artificial intelligence in primary school mathematics: A bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Theory and Application in Elementary and Secondary School Education (IJTAESE), 6(1), 13–26. https://doi.org/10.33830/ijtaease.v5i2.1670
Salido, A., Sugiman, S., Fauziah, P. Y., Kausar, A., Haskin, S., & Azhar, M. (2024). Parental involvement in students’ mathematics activities: a bibliometric analysis. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 20(10), 1–13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/15179
Smith, K., Maynard, N., Berry, A., Stephenson, T., Spiteri, T., Corrigan, D., Mansfield, J., Ellerton, P., & Smith, T. (2022). Principles of problem-based learning (PBL) in STEM education: using expert wisdom and research to frame educational practice. Education Sciences, 12(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12100728
Sohrabi, C., Mathew, G., Franchi, T., Kerwan, A., Griffin, M., Soleil C Del Mundo, J., Ali, S. A., Agha, M., & Agha, R. (2021). Impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on scientific research and implications for clinical academic training – A review. International Journal of Surgery, 86(November 2020), 57–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.12.008
Sukasno, S., Friansah, D., & Purwasi, L. A. (2018). Problem-based learning model in Elpsa framework on mathematical learning process in junior high school. Infinity Journal, 7(2), 183. https://doi.org/10.22460/infinity.v7i2.p183-190
Tahiri, Z. (2024). Benefits and drawbacks of project-based learning in upper secondary EFL classrooms. International Scientific Journal Monte, 9(2), 93–101. https://doi.org/10.33807/monte.20243141
Thomassen, A. O., & Stentoft, D. (2020). Educating students for a complex future: why integrating a problem analysis in problem-based learning has something to offer. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 14(2 Special Issue), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.14434/ijpbl.v14i2.28804
Verborgh, R., & De Wilde, M. (2013). Using OpenRefine: the essential OpenRefine guide that takes you from data analysis and error fixing to linking your dataset to the Web. In Community Experience Distilled (1st ed). Packt Publishing Ltd.
Wijayanto, B., Sumarmi, S., Utomo, D. H., Handoyo, B., & Aliman, M. (2023). Problem-based learning using e-module: does it effect on student’s high order thinking and learning interest in studying geography? Journal of Technology and Science Education, 13(3), 613–631. https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.1965
Wiradnyana, I. G. A., Lasmawan, I. W., Suastra, I. W., & Suarni, N. K. (2024). Problem-based learning with Tri Kaya Parisudha model to improve the mathematical problem-solving skills and character of elementary school students. Revista de Gestao Social e Ambiental, 18(2), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.24857/RGSA.V18N2-133
Yu, L., & Zin, Z. M. (2023). The critical thinking-oriented adaptations of problem-based learning models: a systematic review. Frontiers in Education, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1139987
Žakelj, A., Cotič, M., & Doz, D. (2024). Evaluating the impact of active and experiential learning in mathematics: an experimental study on eighth-grade student outcomes. Cogent Education, 11(1), 2436698. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2436698
Zhang, F., Wang, H., Bai, Y., & Zhang, H. (2022). A bibliometric analysis of the landscape of problem-based learning research (1981–2021). Frontiers in Psychology, 13(March), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.828390