Global Research Trends in Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills: A Bibliometric Review of 2020–2024 Publications

Abstract

Introduction: Mathematical problem-solving skills are a core competency in 21st-century education, linked to critical, creative, and reflective thinking. This study mapped the global development and research direction of this topic using bibliometric analysis.Methods: The research followed four systematic stages: retrieving Scopus articles with the keywords “problem-solving skills” and “mathematics,” filtering relevant documents, validating metadata, and conducting visual analysis via VOSviewer. A total of 295 documents were analyzed.Results: Publications surged in 2020 (42 documents), 2021 (36), and 2023 (35), reflecting shifts during and post-COVID-19. Journal articles (49.2%) and conference papers (47.8%) dominated, with minimal contributions from reviews (1.0%) and books (0.3%). Key sources included the Journal of Physics: Conference Series and AIP Conference Proceedings. Subject areas were primarily social sciences (31.4%), physics/astronomy (24.4%), and mathematics (9.0%). Keyword analysis revealed five thematic clusters, while Indonesia led in publications (146 documents), followed by the U.S. and Malaysia.Conclusions: The study confirmed mathematical problem-solving as a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field, progressing toward theoretical consolidation and cross-sector collaboration. Future research could address gaps in review articles and diversify geographic contributions.

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