A Bibliometric Analysis of STEAM Integration in Chemistry Learning at the Secondary Education Level

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58524/oler.v5i2.555

Keywords:

Bibliometric, Chemistry Learning, Secondary Education, STEAM, VOSviewer

Abstract

This study explores the integration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) in secondary-level chemistry education, focusing on its impact on student engagement and learning outcomes. Specifically, the study aims to identify research trends, contributors, institutions, and prominent themes in this field. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 53 research articles indexed in the Dimensions database from 2020 to 2024, and data visualization was performed using the VOSviewer tool. The results revealed a significant increase in publications, peaking at 23 in 2024, indicating a growing interest in STEAM methodologies. Notably, Greek authors demonstrated substantial influence, achieving a high citation count of 132 from only two publications, while Indonesia contributed the highest number of documents with 20 publications and 62 citations. Influential journals such as Applied Sciences and Sustainability were identified, alongside trending themes including augmented reality, gamification, and project-based learning. The findings highlight challenges such as students' negative perceptions of chemistry, limited teacher preparation, and the necessity for effective teaching strategies. This study concludes that interdisciplinary approaches foster critical thinking and creativity among students, ultimately preparing them for modern educational demands. Suggestions include strengthening teacher training, encouraging international collaboration, and adopting innovative pedagogical models. The study is limited to the Dimensions database and the 2020–2024 publication period, which may not capture all global research on STEAM integration

Author Biography

  • Meka Deesongkram, Sakolrajwittayanukul School

    Science and Technology Learning Area Teachers, Sakolrajwittayanukul School, 47000, Thailand

     

References

Abbas, Q., Hussain, S., Rehman, M., Tabassum, S., & Mehdi, M. (2024). 21st century skills through STEAM education: Analysis of school leaders’ perspectives. Journal of Asian Development Studies, 13(3), 464–471. https://doi.org/10.62345/jads.2024.13.3.39

An, S. (2020). The impact of STEAM integration on preservice teachers’ disposition and knowledge. Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, 13(1), 27–42. https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIT-01-2020-0005

Auliah, A., & Cahyani, V. P. (2024). Exploring trends in chemical education: A bibliometric analysis (2019–2024). Jurnal Inovasi Pembelajaran Kimia, 6(2), 297–310. https://doi.org/10.24114/jipk.v6i2.64205

Chongo, S., Osman, K., & Nayan, N. A. (2021). Impact of the plugged-in and unplugged chemistry computational thinking modules on achievement in chemistry. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 17(4), em1953. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/10789

Costa, K., Ntsobi, M. P., & Siwahla-Madiba, N. D. (2023). The evolution of STEM as a concept in science education: A 21st century perspective. OSF Preprints. https://doi.org/10.31730/osf.io/5h2vn

Deroncele-Acosta, A., Jiménez-Chumacero, R. V., Gamarra-Mendoza, S., Brito-Garcías, J. G., Flores-Valdivieso, H. G., Velázquez-Tejeda, M. E., & Goñi-Cruz, F. F. (2023). Trends in educational research for sustainable development in postgraduate education programs at a university in Peru. Sustainability, 15(6), 5449. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065449

Duc, N. M., & Quang, N. V. (2024). Application of augmented reality in chemistry education: A systemic review based on bibliometric analysis from 2002 to 2023. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 12(8), 1415–1434. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijemst.4265

Dyachenko, A., Mukanova, R., & Erkibayeva, M. (2024). Integration of interdisciplinary connections between chemistry, physics, and biology in the education of secondary school students. International Journal of Educational Reform. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/10567879241290180

Fatih, M., Alfi, C., & Muqtafa, M. A. (2024). Science learning game (SLG) based on augmented reality enhances science literacy and critical thinking students’ skills. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(2), 973–981. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i2.6107

Guerrero-Bote, V. P., Chinchilla-Rodríguez, Z., Mendoza, A., & De Moya-Anegón, F. (2021). Comparative analysis of the bibliographic data sources Dimensions and Scopus: An approach at the country and institutional levels. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 5, 593494. https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2020.593494

Hashmi, K., Maqsood, S., & Noor-e-Sahar. (2024). STEAM education: A pathway to enhance critical thinking in dynamic elementary classrooms. Sukkur IBA Journal of Educational Sciences and Technologies, 4(1), 24–43. https://doi.org/10.30537/sjest.v4i1.1274

Hernández-Barco, M., Sánchez-Martín, J., Corbacho-Cuello, I., & Cañada-Cañada, F. (2021). Emotional performance of a low-cost eco-friendly project-based learning methodology for science education: An approach in prospective teachers. Sustainability, 13(6), 3385. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063385

Hook, D. W., & Porter, S. J. (2021). Scaling scientometrics: Dimensions on Google BigQuery as an infrastructure for large-scale analysis. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 6, 656233. https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2021.656233

Inthanon, W., & Wised, S. (2024). Tailoring education: A comprehensive review of personalized learning approaches based on individual strengths, needs, skills, and interests. Journal of Education and Learning Reviews, 1(5), 35–46. https://doi.org/10.60027/jelr.2024.779

Irfani, F. (2024). Green chemistry in education: A bibliometric study and research trends (2002–2022). Journal of Education for Sustainable Development Studies, 1(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.70232/rq1cmx05

Kiv, A. E., Shyshkina, M. P., Semerikov, S. O., Striuk, A. M., Striuk, M. I., & Shalatska, H. M. (2020). CTE 2019 – When cloud technologies ruled the education. CTE Workshop Proceedings, 7, 1-59. https://doi.org/10.55056/cte.306

Koukoutsidis, I. Z. (2022). Department-level comparison of universities’ scientific output: A bibliometric study of Greek universities. arXiv Preprints. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2212.12032

Kousa, P., Kavonius, R., & Aksela, M. (2018). Low-achieving students’ attitudes towards learning chemistry and chemistry teaching methods. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 19(2), 431–441. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7RP00226B

Lampropoulos, G., Keramopoulos, E., Diamantaras, K., & Evangelidis, G. (2022). Augmented reality and gamification in education: A systematic literature review of research, applications, and empirical studies. Applied Sciences, 12(13), 6809. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12136809

Mahanan, M. S., Ibrahim, N. H., Surif, J., & Chee, K. N. (2021). AR Module for Learning Changes of Matter in Chemistry. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 15(23), 72–88. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v15i23.27343

Mahbub, S., Wafik, H. M. A., Uddin, A., & Rahman, M. (2024). Integration of technology in chemistry education at university level. Cognizance Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 4(7), 9–19. https://doi.org/10.47760/cognizance.2024.v04i07.002

Marín-Marín, J.-A., Moreno-Guerrero, A.-J., Dúo-Terrón, P., & López-Belmonte, J. (2021). STEAM in education: A bibliometric analysis of performance and co-words in Web of Science. International Journal of STEM Education, 8(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-021-00296-x

Mazzuco, A., Krassmann, A. L., Reategui, E., & Gomes, R. S. (2022). A systematic review of augmented reality in chemistry education. Review of Education, 10(1), e3325. https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3325

McLure, F. I., Tang, K.-S., & Williams, P. J. (2022). What do integrated STEM projects look like in middle school and high school classrooms? A systematic literature review of empirical studies of iSTEM projects. International Journal of STEM Education, 9(1), 73. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-022-00390-8

Milara, I. S., & Orduña, M. C. (2024). Possibilities and challenges of STEAM pedagogies. arXiv Preprints. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2408.15282

Nik Hassan, N. M. H., Talib, O., Shariman, T. P., Rahman, N. A., & Zamin, A. A. M. (2022). A bibliometric analysis on how organic chemistry education research has evolved collaboratively over time. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia, 11(1), 73–90. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v11i1.34185

Pernaa, J. (2022). Possibilities and challenges of using educational cheminformatics for STEM education: A SWOT analysis of a molecular visualization engineering project. Journal of Chemical Education, 99(3), 1190-1200. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c00683

Porter, S. J., & Hook, D. W. (2022). Connecting scientometrics: Dimensions as a route to broadening context for analyses. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 7, 835139. https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2022.835139

Pradana, K. C., Noer, S. H., & Sutiarso, S. (2025). Enhancing critical thinking in mathematics through Android-based multimedia and PjBL-STEM. Online Learning in Educational Research, 5(1), 81–93. https://doi.org/10.58524/oler.v5i1.534

Prahani, B. K., Nisa’, K., Nurdiana, M. A., Kurnianingsih, E., Amiruddin, M. Z. B., & Sya’roni, I. (2023). Analyze of STEAM education research for three decades. Journal of Technology and Science Education, 13(3), 837–853. https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.1670

Pratomo, H., Fitriyana, N., Wiyarsi, A., & Marfuatun, M. (2025). Mapping chemistry learning difficulties of secondary school students: A cross-grade study. Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 19(2), 909–920. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v19i2.21826

Purnell, P. J. (2022). The prevalence and impact of university affiliation discrepancies between four bibliographic databases—Scopus, Web of Science, Dimensions, and Microsoft Academic. Quantitative Science Studies, 3(1), 99–121. https://doi.org/10.1162/qss_a_00175

Rahmawati, Y., Afrizal, A., Dwi Astari, D., Mardiah, A., Budi Utami, D., & Muhab, S. (2021). The integration of dilemmas stories with STEM-project-based learning: Analyzing students’ thinking skills using Hess’ cognitive rigor matrix. Journal of Technology and Science Education, 11(2), 419-439. https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.1292

Rahmawati, Y., Taylor, E., Taylor, P. C., Ridwan, A., & Mardiah, A. (2022). Students’ engagement in education as sustainability: Implementing an ethical dilemma-STEAM teaching model in chemistry learning. Sustainability, 14(6), 3554. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063554

Ridwan, A., Rahmawati, Y., & Hadinugrahaningsih, T. (2021). STEAM integration in chemistry learning for developing 21st century skills. MIER Journal of Educational Studies, Trends & Practices, 11(2), 184–194. https://doi.org/10.52634/mier/2017/v7/i2/1420

Ripsam, M., & Nerdel, C. (2024). Teachers’ attitudes and self-efficacy toward augmented reality in chemistry education. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1293571. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1293571

Sousa, E. R. D., Rossi, M., & Freitas Cordeiro, L. (2024). As contribuições da abordagem STEAM na educação especial. RECIMA21 - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar, 5(10), e5105631. https://doi.org/10.47820/recima21.v5i10.5631

Sousa, R. R. A. D., Sanchez Júnior, S. L., Afonso, L. R., & Borges, F. D. S. (2024). A integração STEAM no currículo escolar: Desafios e benefícios. Revista Interseção, 6(1), 251–271. https://doi.org/10.48178/intersecao.v6i1.475

Spyropoulou, N., & Kameas, A. (2023). Augmenting the impact of STEAM education by developing a competence framework for STEAM educators for effective teaching and learning. Education Sciences, 14(1), 25. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14010025

Sukoco, B. M., Putra, R. A., Muqaffi, H. N., Lutfian, M. V., & Wicaksono, H. (2023). Comparative study of ASEAN research productivity. Sage Open, 13(1), 21582440221145157. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221145157

Thelwall, M. (2018). Dimensions: A competitor to Scopus and the Web of Science? Journal of Informetrics, 12(2), 430–435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2018.03.006

Tian, P., Sun, D., Han, R., & Fan, Y. (2023). Integrating micro project-based learning to improve conceptual understanding and crucial learning skills in chemistry. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 22(1), 130–152. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/23.22.130

Tupamahu, P. Z., Dasari, D., Priatna, N., & Lethulur, N. D. (2025). STEM and STEAM education in 1st decade: A bibliometric analysis (2014–2025). Jurnal Magister Pendidikan Matematika (JUMADIKA), 7(1), 115–130.

Wang, J., Frietsch, R., Neuhäusler, P., & Hooi, R. (2024). International collaboration leading to high citations: Global impact or home country effect? Journal of Informetrics, 18(4), 101565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2024.101565

Wannapiroon, N., & Pimdee, P. (2022). Thai undergraduate science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) creative thinking and innovation skill development: A conceptual model using a digital virtual classroom learning environment. Education and Information Technologies, 27(4), 5689–5716. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10849-w

Ying, Y., & Tiemann, R. (2024). Development of an assessment tool for collaborative problem-solving skills in chemistry. Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Science Education Research, 6(1), 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43031-024-00116-6

Zhang, S., Zhou, C., & Zhao, J. (2023). Chinese pre-service chemistry teachers’ perception of augmented reality-assisted secondary chemistry learning. Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Science Education Research, 5(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43031-023-00090-5

Downloads

Published

2025-12-15

How to Cite

A Bibliometric Analysis of STEAM Integration in Chemistry Learning at the Secondary Education Level. (2025). Online Learning In Educational Research (OLER), 5(2), 289-303. https://doi.org/10.58524/oler.v5i2.555