Bibliometric analysis of computational thinking research trends in science education from 2013 to 2022

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Wenny Pinta Litna Tarigan, Paidi, Antuni Wiyarsi, Suhartini

2025 South African Journal of Education Vol. 45 Article Cited by 0 Quartile

Abstract

Computational thinking (CT) has increasingly been recognised as a fundamental competency in 21st-century education. In response to the growing significance of CT, with this study we aimed to systematically review the development of research on CT in science education by employing bibliometric analysis to examine 337 research papers using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix as analytical tools. The focus was on the topic of CT within the Scopus database from 2013 to 2022. The descriptive data analysis showed a noticeable increase in the significance of CT as a research area within science education in the past 10 years. Co-occurrence knowledge maps revealed 4 principal research themes and their development trajectories. Content analysis indicated that problem-solving and the CT domain were the most examined variables in the articles. We found that technology applications were the most preferred types of learning as academic achievement is highly influenced by CT practices. © 2025, South African Journal Of Education. All rights reserved.

Affiliations

Biology Education Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Chemistry Education Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia