KNOWLEDGE MAPPING OF RESEARCH ON STUDENTS' CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES IN LEARNING MATHEMATICS

Abstract

This bibliometric analysis explores the challenges and difficulties faced by students in learning mathematics, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the academic landscape surrounding this issue. Despite significant advancements in mathematics education, students continue to encounter various learning barriers that hinder their academic success. To investigate these challenges, we conducted a systematic analysis of the existing literature by utilizing Scopus advanced search tools with keywords such as "mathematics," "learning," "challenges," "difficulties," and "education." The search yielded 798 relevant articles, which formed the dataset for our study. Data analysis was performed using Scopus Analyzer, which helped in generating statistical insights and graphical representations of trends, citation patterns, and research topics. To ensure data accuracy and consistency, we employed OpenRefine for data cleaning and harmonization, addressing issues like discrepancies in author names, keywords, and publication details. For the visualization of co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and country collaborations, the VOSviewer software was used, which provided a detailed and interactive network map of research relationships. Our findings highlight the key research trends, popular keywords, and global research collaboration patterns, revealing a growing body of literature focused on learning difficulties, teaching strategies, and educational interventions in mathematics. This analysis contributes to the understanding of how students' challenges in mathematics are studied across different countries and disciplines, offering valuable insights for educators and researchers aiming to address these issues more effectively in future studies. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to alleviate student difficulties in learning mathematics and the need for continued interdisciplinary collaboration in this area.