A bibliometric exploration of research on STEM education and its role in fostering critical thinking (2004–2024)

Alka Dutt; Alka Dutt

doi:10.3934/steme.2026031

STEM Education

2026, Volume 6, Issue 5: 776-801. doi: 10.3934/steme.2026031

Previous Article Next Article

Review Topical Sections

A bibliometric exploration of research on STEM education and its role in fostering critical thinking (2004–2024)

Alka Dutt ^, ,

Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India

Academic Editor: William Guo

Received: 19 December 2025 Revised: 22 April 2026 Accepted: 29 June 2026 Published: 05 August 2026

Critical thinking is a metacognitive skill that has become inescapable for the 21st-century generation for handling complex real-life problems. This skill can be learned through tailored pedagogy and an integrated approach. STEM education is a forward-looking approach that can foster critical thinking, a core component of 21st-century skills, among students. This bibliometric analysis aimed to systematically map the research trends on STEM education and critical thinking over the last 20 years. Metadata were extracted from the Scopus and Web of Science databases over a period of 20 years, from 2004 to 2024. Inclusion criteria were the frequency and availability of studies on the keywords "STEM education" and "critical thinking" for synthesis. Unpublished articles, book chapters, conference papers, etc., were excluded. A final set of 69 (N = 69) eligible studies from Web of Science and 61 (N = 61) from Scopus was considered for bibliometric analysis. Parameters such as publication trends, research field categories, key term co-occurrence, countries contributing with link strength, most influential authors, bibliographic coupling, and top-ranked sources were studied using VOSviewer software. The major findings of this study are as follows: 1) Research on STEM education and critical thinking has exponentially increased since 2016. 2) Web of Science has comparatively richer metadata compared to Scopus. 3) The United States, China, and Australia predominantly produce research compared to Asian and European countries in this field. 4) Limited research collaboration has been done in STEM and critical thinking. 5) Educational innovation, creativity, and augmented reality are a few key terms that have future potential for research. This systematic literature review has developed insight into other highly significant and relevant terms, such as nanotechnology, the scientific process, active learning, educational innovation, and computational skills. The relationship between these terms and STEM education can be transformative.
- STEM,
- STEM education,
- critical thinking,
- 21st-century skills,
- bibliometric analysis
Citation: Alka Dutt. A bibliometric exploration of research on STEM education and its role in fostering critical thinking (2004–2024)[J]. STEM Education, 2026, 6(5): 776-801. doi: 10.3934/steme.2026031

Related Papers:

Abstract

Critical thinking is a metacognitive skill that has become inescapable for the 21st-century generation for handling complex real-life problems. This skill can be learned through tailored pedagogy and an integrated approach. STEM education is a forward-looking approach that can foster critical thinking, a core component of 21st-century skills, among students. This bibliometric analysis aimed to systematically map the research trends on STEM education and critical thinking over the last 20 years. Metadata were extracted from the Scopus and Web of Science databases over a period of 20 years, from 2004 to 2024. Inclusion criteria were the frequency and availability of studies on the keywords "STEM education" and "critical thinking" for synthesis. Unpublished articles, book chapters, conference papers, etc., were excluded. A final set of 69 (N = 69) eligible studies from Web of Science and 61 (N = 61) from Scopus was considered for bibliometric analysis. Parameters such as publication trends, research field categories, key term co-occurrence, countries contributing with link strength, most influential authors, bibliographic coupling, and top-ranked sources were studied using VOSviewer software. The major findings of this study are as follows: 1) Research on STEM education and critical thinking has exponentially increased since 2016. 2) Web of Science has comparatively richer metadata compared to Scopus. 3) The United States, China, and Australia predominantly produce research compared to Asian and European countries in this field. 4) Limited research collaboration has been done in STEM and critical thinking. 5) Educational innovation, creativity, and augmented reality are a few key terms that have future potential for research. This systematic literature review has developed insight into other highly significant and relevant terms, such as nanotechnology, the scientific process, active learning, educational innovation, and computational skills. The relationship between these terms and STEM education can be transformative.

References

[1]	Haber, J., Defining, Teaching, and Assessing Critical Thinking. Critical Thinking, 2020. The MIT Press. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/12081.003.0005
[2]	Defining Critical Thinking. Retrieved October 10, 2024. Available from: https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766.
[3]	Butler, H.A., Dwyer, C.P., Hogan, M.J., Franco, A., Rivas, S.F., Saiz, C., et al., The Halpern Critical Thinking Assessment and Real-World Outcomes: Cross-National Applications. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 2012, 7(2):112–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2012.04.001 doi: 10.1016/j.tsc.2012.04.001
[4]	Dwyer, C.P., Hogan, M.J. and Stewart, I., An Integrated Critical Thinking Framework for the 21st Century. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 2014, 12: 43–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2013.12.004 doi: 10.1016/j.tsc.2013.12.004
[5]	Jamil, M., Muhammad, Y. and Qureshi, N., Critical Thinking Skills Development: Secondary School Science Teachers' Perceptions and Practices. Sjesr, 2021, 4(2): 21–30. https://doi.org/10.36902/sjesr-vol4-iss2-2021(21-30) doi: 10.36902/sjesr-vol4-iss2-2021(21-30)
[6]	Yildirim, B., An Analyses and Meta-Synthesis of Research on STEM Education. Journal of Education and Practice, 2016, 7(34): 23‒33.
[7]	Bauer, J., Strategies that Promote Elementary Student STEM Engagement [thesis], 2019.
[8]	Zeng, Z., Yao, J., Gu, H. and Przybylski, R., A Meta-Analysis on the Effects of STEM Education on Students' Abilities. Sci Insigt Edu Front, 2018, 1(1): 3–16. https://doi.org/10.15354/sief.18.re005 doi: 10.15354/sief.18.re005
[9]	Rikizaputra, R., Festiyed, F., Asrizal, A. and Diliarosta, S., Meta-Analysis: The Effect Of The Science, Technology, And Society Learning Model on Students High Order Thinking Skills. Jurnal Pelita Pendidikan, 2021, 9(1): 13–19. https://doi.org/10.24114/jpp.v9i1.23072 doi: 10.24114/jpp.v9i1.23072
[10]	Nilyani, K., Asrizal, A. and U. Usmeldi, U., The Effect of STEM Integrated Science Learning on Scientific Literacy and Critical Thinking Skills of Students: A Meta-Analysis. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan, 2023, 9(6): 65‒72. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i6.2614 doi: 10.29303/jppipa.v9i6.2614
[11]	Soros, P., Ponkham, K. and Ekkapim, S., The results of STEM education methods for enhancing critical thinking and problem solving skill in physics the 10th grade level. AIP Conf. Proc., 2018, 1923(1): 030045. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5019536 doi: 10.1063/1.5019536
[12]	Stytsyuk, R.Y., Lustina, T.N., Sekerin, V.D., Martynova, M., Chernavsky, M.Y. and Terekhova, N.V., Impact of STEM Education on Soft Skill Development in It Students through Educational Scrum Projects. Revista Conrado, 2022, 18(84): 183‒192.
[13]	Wahono, B., Chang, C.Y. and Retnowati, A., Exploring a Direct Relationship Betweenstudents' Problem-Solving Abilities and Academic Achievement: A STEM Education at a Coffee Plantation Area. Journal of Turkish Science, 2020, 17(2): 211‒224. http://www.tused.org/index.php/tused/article/view/972.
[14]	National Education Policy 2020, Ministry of Human Resource Development Government of India.
[15]	Gonzalez, H.B. and Kuenzi, J.J., Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education: A Primer. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, 2012.
[16]	Barakabitze, A.A., William-Andey Lazaro, A., Ainea, N., Mkwizu, M.H., Maziku, H., Matofali, A.X., et al., Transforming African Education Systems in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Using ICTs: Challenges and Opportunities. Education Research International, 2019, 2019(1): 6946809. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6946809 doi: 10.1155/2019/6946809
[17]	Chisholm, L., The Politics of Curriculum Review and Revision in South Africa in Regional Context. Compare, 2005, 35(1):79–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057920500033563 doi: 10.1080/03057920500033563
[18]	Freeman, B., Marginson, S. and Tytler, R., An International View of Stem Education. STEM Education 2.0: Myths and Truths - What Has K-12 STEM Education Research Taught Us? 2019,350–63. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004405400_019 doi: 10.1163/9789004405400_019
[19]	Mutsvangwa, A. and Zezekwa, N., STEM Education: A Ray of Hope for African Countries. Unnes Science Education Journal, 2021, 10(2):79–89. https://doi.org/10.15294/usej.v10i2.45746 doi: 10.15294/usej.v10i2.45746
[20]	Pritchard, A., Statistical Bibliography or Bibliometrics. Journal of Documentation, 1969, 25(4): 348‒349.
[21]	White, P.J., Ardoin, N.M., Eames, C. and Monroe, M.C., Agency in the Anthropocene: Supporting document to the PISA 2025 science framework. OECD Education Working Papers, 2023,297. https://doi.org/10.1787/8d3b6cfa-en doi: 10.1787/8d3b6cfa-en
[22]	PISA 2025 Science Framework. Retrieved September 2, 2025. Available from: https://pisa-framework.oecd.org/science-2025/.
[23]	Voskoglou, M.G. and Buckley, S., Problem Solving and Computational Thinking in a Learning Environment. arXiv preprint arXiv: 1212.0750, 2012. http://arXiv.org/abs/1212.0750
[24]	Belland, B.R., Instructional Scaffolding in STEM Education: Strategies and Efficacy Evidence, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02565-0
[25]	Wilson, M., Opportunities and Factors Affecting Adoption of STEM Education: The Case of Gweru Polytechnic First Year Commerce Students. International Journal of Business Marketing and Management, 2016, 1(5): 1‒8.
[26]	Wilson, S.B. and Varma-Nelson, P., Small Groups, Significant Impact: A Review of Peer-Led Team Learning Research with Implications for STEM Education Researchers and Faculty. Journal of Chemical Education, 2016, 93(10): 1686‒1702. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5b00862 doi: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.5b00862
[27]	Weng, X., Chiu, T.K. and Jong, M.S., Applying Relatedness to Explain Learning Outcomes of STEM Maker Activities. Frontiers in Psychology, 2022, 12: 800569. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.800569 doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.800569
[28]	Dong, M., Li, F. and Chang, H., Trends and Hotspots in Critical Thinking Research over the Past Two Decades: Insights from a Bibliometric Analysis. Heliyon, 2023, 9(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16934 doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16934
[29]	Üçgül, M. and Altıok, S., You Are an Astroneer: The Effects of Robotics Camps on Secondary School Students' Perceptions and Attitudes towards STEM. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 2022, 32(3):1679–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-021-09673-7 doi: 10.1007/s10798-021-09673-7

Author's biography Dr Alka Dutt is an Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Delhi, India. She is specialised in Educational Research, Educational Psychology, Research, and Curriculum Development. Her research interests encompass School Educational Research, Educational Psychology, Qualitative Research, and Policies for Curriculum Development. She is a lifetime member of the All India Association of Education Research, Indian Society of Teacher Educator, Indian Science Congress, and Indian Association of Applied Psychology

Reader Comments

Your name:*

Email:*
© 2026 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)