A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF AFFECTIVE, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND PEDAGOGICAL FACTORS IN UNIVERSITY MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJEPC.1163051Keywords:
Bibliometric Analysis, Mathematics Education, Pedagogical Factors, Psychological Factors, ReviewAbstract
Mathematics at the university level is challenging as it requires intense logical reasoning, and the content is delivered in a fast-paced environment. Over the decades, researchers have devoted themselves to improving the effectiveness of teaching and learning mathematics through different techniques, investigating the influences of affective, psychological, and pedagogical factors on the students’ performance. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this field by conducting a bibliometric analysis on data retrieved from Scopus, which contains bibliographic data of publications published between 2001 and 2025. The analysis provides information about the publication trends, the most active contributors, the most cited publications, and research themes. The findings show that existing research could be grouped into technology-integrated learning, psychological and policy factors, cognitive development in mathematics, teacher-related factors, educational pressures and artificial intelligence adoption, and anxiety-related constructs. Among these, motivation and self-efficacy received high attention, showing that psychological and cognitive factors are important. The findings also suggest that problem-based learning, educational policy, collaborative learning, teaching confidence, formative assessment, stress, working memory, and depression could be possible future research directions. This study contributes an integrated perspective on mathematics education by connecting pedagogical practices with learner-related psychological and affective factors. The findings offer valuable implications for educators, researchers, and policymakers in enhancing student learning and success in university-level mathematics education.
Downloads
References
Ardeleanu, R. (2019). Traditional and modern teaching methods in mathematics. Journal of Innovation in Psychology, Education and Didactics, 23(2), 133-140. https://jiped.ub.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JIPED_23_2_2019_1.pdf
Arsad, R., Wan Abdul Aziz, W. N. H., Abdul Rahman, A., Md Said, J., & Baharun, N. (2018). The discussion of teaching and learning styles in mathematics subject: a traditional versus interactive-engagement approach. Multidisciplinary Informatics Journal, 1(2), 119-126. https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/39813/
Asare, B., Dissou Arthur, Y., & Adu Obeng, B. (2025). Mathematics self-belief and mathematical creativity of university students: the role of problem-solving skills. Cogent Education, 12(1), 2456438. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2456438
Ayanwale, M. A., & Omeh, C. B. (2026). AI-Supported Problem-Based Learning for Enhancing Computational Thinking Skills in STEM Education. Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans, 7, 100263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbah.2026.100263
Boom-Cárcamo, E., Buelvas-Gutiérrez, L., Acosta-Oñate, L., & Boom-Cárcamo, D. (2024). Gamification and problem-based learning (PBL): Development of creativity in the teaching-learning process of mathematics in university students. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 53(5), 101614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2024.101614
Chiu, M. S., & Seah, W. T. (2024). Values and valuing pedagogies in affect-focused mathematics teaching. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 10, 101050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.101050
Chkana, Y., Martynenko, Olena Yurchenko, A., Gorovoy, I., & Semenikhina, O. (2025). A bibliometric exploration of research in mathematics education (2020 – 2024). EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 21(7), em2659. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/16561
Dietrich, H., & Evans, T. (2022). Traditional lectures versus active learning--a false dichotomy?. STEM Education, 2 (4), 275–292. https://doi.org/10.3934/steme.2022017
Ersozlu, Z., & Karakus, M. (2019). Mathematics Anxiety: Mapping the Literature by Bibliometric Analysis. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 15(2), em1673. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/102441
Gbormittah, D., Yarkwah, C., Osiakwan, J. K., & Adom, G. (2025). Culturally responsive pedagogy model integration in mathematics education: Perceptions and practices among Ghanaian teachers. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 12, 102036. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SSAHO.2025.102036
Good, C., Rattan, A., & Dweck, C. S. (2012). Why do women opt out? Sense of belonging and women’s representation in mathematics. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102(4), 700–717. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026659
Halberda, J., Mazzocco, M. M. M., & Feigenson, L. (2008). Individual differences in non-verbal number acuity correlate with maths achievement. Nature, 455(7213), 665–668. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature07246
Held, T., Putwain, D. W., & Hascher, T. (2025). A serious game-based social-psychological intervention to promote mathematics motivation: Effects and individual differences. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 84, 102439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2025.102439
Hidajat, F. A. (2026). Integration of virtual reality technology and deep learning in mathematics research and education: A creative bibliometric analysis. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 13, 102487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2026.102487
Kasim, N. A., Elias, N. H., Ghazali, S. F., Ismail, S., Najib, N. W. M., Abdullah, N. K., Basarud-din, S. K., Muhamad, F. N., Abd Rahim, N., & Mustafa, W. A. (2025). A bibliometric analysis on academic stress among undergraduates in Malaysian public universities. International Journal of Education, Psychology Research, and Counselling, 10(59), 428–444. https://doi.org/10.35631/IJEPC.1059031
Krishnan, S., & Raman, A. (2024). A Bibliometric Analysis on Sustainable Research in Mathematics Education. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education & Development, 13(1), 274–290. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v13-i1/20417
Lee, J. & Paul, N. (2023). A Review of Pedagogical Approaches for Improved Engagement and Learning Outcomes in Mathematics. Journal of Student Research, 12(3), 1-8. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/fea4/78a306ebda394cc0546bf2bafdd86a6188c3.pdf
Lee, M. K. O., Cheung, C. M. K., & Chen, Z. (2005). Acceptance of Internet-based learning medium: The role of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Information & Management, 42(8), 1095–1104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2003.10.007
Liu, Y., Kamarudin, N., & Sulaiman, T. (2025). Research hotspots and trends in mathematics pedagogical content knowledge from a Citespace perspective:an analysis of SSCI literature over the past decade. International Journal of Education, Psychology Research, and Counselling, 10(61), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.35631/IJEPC.1061029
Liu, Z., & Ldokova, G. (2026). The impact of GPT-powered video games on early adolescents’ academic achievement in distance learning environments. International Journal of Educational Research, 137, 102967. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2026.102967
McCurdy, B. H., Scozzafava, M. D., Bradley, T., Matlow, R., Weems, C. F., & Carrion, V. G. (2023). Impact of anxiety and depression on academic achievement among underserved school children: evidence of suppressor effects. Current psychology, 42, 26793-26801 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03801-9
Meiliati, R., Djodding, I. M., Salido, A., Husain, D. S., & Hidayati, U. (2026). Exploration problem-based learning in mathematics learning in higher education: A bibliometric review. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 13, 102345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.102345
Noreen, R., & Rana, A. M. K. (2019). Activity-Based Teaching versus Traditional Method of Teaching in Mathematics at Elementary Level. Bulletin of Education and Research, 41(2), 145-159. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1229426.pdf
Ovat, S. V., Ofem, U. J., Neji, H., Undie, S., Ukatu, J. O., Nnaji, E. S., Madukwe, E., Nwanunnu, B., Adie, J., Ebaye, A., & Egu, A. (2026). Revisiting pedagogical frameworks for enhancing multidimensional learning outcome among students. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 13, 102306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.102306
Saadé, R. G., & Bahli, B. (2005). The impact of cognitive absorption on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use in on-line learning: An extension of the technology acceptance model. Information & Management, 42(2), 317–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2003.12.013
Sagarduy, A., Arrieta, N., & Antón, A. (2024). A Bibliometric Study on Mathematics Anxiety in Primary Education. Education Sciences, 14(7), 678. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14070678
Saha, M., Islam, S., Akhi, A. A., & Saha, G. (2024). Factors affecting success and failure in higher education mathematics: Students' and teachers’ perspectives. Heliyon, 10(7), e29173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29173
Sehrawat, A. (2024). The role of mathematics in enhancing critical thinking skills among college students. Innovative Research Thoughts. 10(4), 141-149. https://doi.org/10.36676/irt.v10.i4.1616
Shen, W., Chai, C. S., Chiu, T. K., Yau, K. W., Meng, H., King, I., Wong, S., & Yam, Y. (2026). Pedagogy first, technology second: Cross-level relationships between teacher professional knowledge and student learning in artificial intelligence (AI) education. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 10, 100564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2026.100564
Taştepe, M., & Özkaya, A. (2026). A bibliometric exploration of affective factors in mathematics education: research trends, thematic evolution, and topic modeling. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1746934. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1746934
Thi-nga, H., Thi-Binh, V., & Tien-Trung, N. (2024). Metacognition in mathematics education: From academic chronicle to future research scenario – A bibliometric analysis with the Scopus database. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 20(4), em2427. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/14381
Voyer, D., & Voyer, S. D. (2014). Gender differences in scholastic achievement: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 140(4), 1174–1204. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036620
Wahyuni, R., Juniati, D., & Wijayanti, P. (2025). Mathematics anxiety in mathematics education: a bibliometrics analysis. Journal of Education and Learning, 19(1), 380–393. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v19i1.21768
Yaqoubi, R. M., Rezaei-Zadeh, M., Vahidi-Asl, M., Ramezani, D., Mohammadi, S., & Oskouei, E. R. (2025). Developing a serious game for enhancing student problem-solving: a three-layers effectiveness model. Entertainment Computing, 56, 101072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2025.101072
Zheng, Y., Mohamad, M. M., & Mafarja, N. (2025). A bibliometric analysis of learning motivation in blended teaching environment (2014-2024). International Journal of Education, Psychology Research, and Counselling, 10(60), 240–256. https://doi.org/10.35631/IJEPC.1060016
