Problem Based Learning in Primary Education : a bibliometric analysis (2002-2026) Diana Anggraini
Universitas Negeri Jakarta
Abstract
Problem Based Learning positions authentic problems as the primary trigger of the learning process, thereby encouraging students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and self-directed learning skills. The authors employed bibliometric analysis to examine the development of research on Problem Based Learning. This study aims to provide a current overview of the PBL research landscape in the context of primary education from 2002 to 2026. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 117 documents were retrieved from the Scopus database for further analysis. The data analysis included publication and citation trends, the most cited documents, influential sources, institutions, and countries, the most productive authors, co-authorship analysis among authors and countries, as well as the co-occurrence of author keywords using VOSviewer software. The findings indicate an increasing trend in the number of publications from 2002 to 2026, reaching its peak in 2025 with 22 published articles. The most influential work, authored by Rotgans Ji and published in Contemporary Educational Psychology, accumulated 139 citations and J. Merritt, published in Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem Based Learning, received 107 citations (10.7 per year), providing evidence that Problem-Based Learning is an effective method for improving the academic achievement of K-8 students in mathematics and science, including knowledge retention, concept development, and attitudes. In terms of the most productive sources and countries, Indonesia and Spain emerged as leading contributors. Universities in Indonesia and Spain were identified as the most productive institutions. Frequently occurring keywords included ^Problem Based Learning,^ ^primary education,^ and ^elementary school students.^ These findings highlight the practical need for educational stakeholders to position PBL as a globally adaptable approach across diverse primary education contexts.
Keywords: Problem Based Learning, Primary Education, Bibliometric Analysis
