Research trends of creative thinking skill in science education journals in Indonesia: Design analysis and data analysis techniques
Abstract
Creative thinking as one of the 21st skills is not only beneficial but also essential, particularly in learning sciences. Creative thinking equips them with the cognitive flexibility to devise innovative solutions, consider multiple variables, and approach challenges from diverse angles, fosters critical reasoning and imagination, and enhances student motivation and engagement within science classrooms. This paper will focus on investigating the implementation of creative thinking in learning sciences based on the articles published in national accreditation journals in Indonesia. The content analysis approach was applied, leveraging the method of scanning published research journal documents as its research method. This study is distinctive from previous research on creative thinking skills in several ways covered on all educational articles published from 2015 to 2024 in all Indonesian science education journals. This study revealed that in the last three years, the number of publications focusing on creative thinking skills has increased. The most dominant research is quantitative research with quasi experiment as the research design. Meanwhile, junior high school students, and 'biology' with the subject material of 'environmental pollution' were consecutively the subjects, science fields of study, and topics most chosen by researchers. Project Based Learning (PjBL), test sheet, and N-gain were the most frequently used as treatments, instruments, and data analysis methods, respectively. The review highlights the need to increase the use of qualitative and mixed-method approaches, explore the integration of local wisdom and ethnoscience through R&D, and focus on developing instructional products to enhance students’ low creative thinking abilities. Additionally, researchers are advised to clearly report their research instruments, including validity and reliability, and to select data analysis techniques that align with their research objectives and design.
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Whiston, S. C. & Li, P. (2011). Meta-Analysis: A Systematic Method for Synthesizing Counseling Research. Journal of Conseling and Development, 89(3), 273-281. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2011.tb00089.x
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Apriliana, F. A., Qomaria, N., Tamam, B., Hadi, W. P., & Yasir, M. (2023). Upaya Peningkatan Keterampilan Berpikir Kreatif Siswa Pada Materi Pencemaran Lingkungan Dengan Model Pembelajaran Local Wisdom Integrated Science (Lwis) Terintegrasi Stem. EDUPROXIMA : Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan IPA, 5(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.29100/eduproxima.v5i1.3336
Arlinda, C. P., Marianti, A., & Rahayuningsih, M. (2022). The Implementation of Project-Based Learning Model with Instagram Media towards Students’ Critical Thiking and Creativity. Unnes Science Education Journal, 11(1), 9–16. https://doi.org/10.15294/usej.v11i1.46495
Chow, J. C. (2024). Quasi-Experimental Designs. In Research Methods in Special Education (pp. 149–164). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003526315-9
Cooper, H., Robinson, J. C., & Dorr, N. (2006). Conducting a meta analysis. In F. T. L. Leong & J. T. Austin (Eds.), The psychology research handbook ( 2nd ed., pp. 315–325). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design : Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. In A. Marks (Ed.), SAGE Publications, Inc. (5th ed.). SAGE.
Dani, A., & Al Quraan, E. (2023). Investigating research students’ perceptions about statistics and its impact on their choice of research approach. Heliyon, 9(10), e20423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20423
Daud, A. M, Omar, J., Turiman, P., & Osman, K. (2012). Creativity in Science Education. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 59, 467 – 474
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. In Random House (Update).
Erford, B. T., Savin-Murphy, J. A., & Butler, C. (2010). Conducting a meta-analysis of counseling outcome research: Twelve steps and practical procedures. Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation, 1, 19–42. doi:10.1177/2150137809356682.
Fauzi, A., & Pradipta, I. W. (2018). Research methods and data analysis techniques in education articles published by Indonesian biology educational journals. JPBI (Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi Indonesia), 4(2), 123–134. https://doi.org/10.22219/jpbi.v4i2.5889
Gafour, O. W. A. & Gafour, W. A. S. (2020). Creative thinking skills - A Review Article. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349003763
Gopalan, M., Rosinger, K., & Ahn, J. Bin. (2020). Use of Quasi-Experimental Research Designs in Education Research: Growth, Promise, and Challenges. Review of Research in Education, 44(1), 218–243. https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X20903302
Higgins, S. (2016). Meta-synthesis and comparative meta-analysis of education research findings: some risks and benefits. Review of Education, 4(1), 31-53
Indriani, S., Hasrudin, & Waluyo. (2022). Analysis of Students’ Creative Thinking Ability on Environmental Pollution Materials in Class VII SMP Pangeran Antasari. ISER : Indonesian Science Education Research, 4(2), 29–36. https://jurnal.unimed.ac.id/2012/index.php/iser
Kaufman, J. C., & Baer, J. (2006). Creativity and Reason in Cognitive Development. In Creativity and Reason in Cognitive Development (pp. 1–369). https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511606915
Kiraga, F. (2023). Literature Review: Efforts To Improve Creative Thinking Ability In Science Learning. Integrated Science Education Journal, 4(2), 77–83. https://doi.org/10.37251/isej.v4i2.330
Millen, N. R., & Supahar. (2023). The Effectivity Study : Implementation of the Physics e-Module with PjBL-STEM Model to Describe Students ’ Creative Thinking Skills and Learning Motivation Profile. Journal of Science Education Research, 7(2), 106–113.
Mohajan, H. K. (2018). Qualitative Research Methodology in Social Sciences and Related Subjects. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, 7(1), 23–48. https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/85654/1/MPRA_paper_85654.pdf
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., Antes, G., Atkins, D., Barbour, V., Barrowman, N., Berlin, J. A., Clark, J., Clarke, M., Cook, D., D’Amico, R., Deeks, J. J., Devereaux, P. J., Dickersin, K., Egger, M., Ernst, E., Gøtzsche, P. C., … Tugwell, P. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PLoS Medicine, 6(7). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097
Muchson, M., Cobern, W. W., & Saefi, M. (2024). The science education research trends (SERT) in Indonesian secondary schools: a systematic review and bibliometrics study. Cogent Education, 11(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2308407
Nehe, M., Surya, E., & Syahputra, E. (2017). Creative thinking ability to solving equation and non-equation of linear single variable in VII grade Junior High School. International Journal Of Advance Research And Innovative, 3(2), 2146–2152. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318562469
Nofida, A., & Arif, S. (2020). the Effect of Problem Based Learning (Pbl) Model Based on Audio Visual Media To Creative Thinking Skills of Students. INSECTA: Integrative Science Education and Teaching Activity Journal, 1(1), 59–68. https://doi.org/10.21154/insecta.v1i1.2057
OECD. (2018). The Future of Education and Skills: Education 2030. http://www.oecd.org/education/2030/E2030 Position Paper (05.04.2018).pdf
Pigott, T. D., & Polanin, J. R. (2020). Methodological guidance paper: High-quality meta-analysis in a systematic review. Review of Educational Research, 90(1), 24-46
Qadafi, M., Jamaluddin, & Hastuti, A. (2022). Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Project Based Learning (PjBL) Terintegrasi STEM pada Mata Pelajaran Fisika untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Berfikir Kreatif Peserta Didik SMATGH Umar Kelayu Tahun Ajaran 2021/2022. Jurnal Pengabdian Magister Pendidikan IPA, 5(2), 223–228. https://www.jppipa.unram.ac.id/index.php/jpmpi/article/view/1604
Sahin, Alpaslan and Top, N. (2015). STEM Students on the Stage ( SOS ): Promoting Student Voice and Choice in STEM Education Through an Interdisciplinary , Standards-focused , Project Based Learning Approach. Journal of STEM Education, 16(3), 24–34. http://jstem.org/index.php?journal=JSTEM&page=article&op=viewFile&path[]=1911&path[]=1683
Samaniego, M., Usca, N., Salguero, J., & Quevedo, W. (2024). Creative Thinking in Art and Design Education: A Systematic Review. Education Sciences, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14020192
Scriven, M. (1981). EvaluationThesaurus (3rd ed.). Edgepress.
Shakouri, N. (2014). Qualitative research: Incredulity toward metanarrativeness. Journal of Education and Human Development, 3(2), 671–680. http://jehdnet.com/journals/jehd/Vol_3_No_2_June_2014/40.pdf
Sidek, R., Halim, L., Buang, N. A., & Mohamad Arsad, N. (2020). Fostering Scientific Creativity in Teaching and Learning Science in Schools: A Systematic Review. Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pembelajaran IPA, 6(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.30870/jppi.v6i1.7149
Souza, A. C. de, Alexandre, N. M. C., & Guirardello, E. de B. (2017). Psychometric properties in instruments evaluation of reliability and validity. Epidemiologia e Servicos de Saude, 26(3), 649–659. https://doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742017000300022
Sumalee, C., Samat, C., & Kanjug, I. (2012). The learner’s creative thinking learning with learning innovation to encourage human thinking. European Journal of Social Sciences, 28(2), 213–218.
Susetyarini, E., & Fauzi, A. (2020). Trend of critical thinking skill researches in biology education journals across Indonesia: From research design to data analysis. International Journal of Instruction, 13(1), 535–550. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2020.13135a
Syahrin, A., Dawud, D., Suwignyo, H., Priyatni, E.T. (2019). Creative Thinking Patterns in Students’ Scientific Works. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research 81,21-36. DOI: 10.14689/ejer.2019.81.2
Syamsurizal, Valfa, Y., & Lufri. (2023). Research Trends in Creative Thinking Skills in the Journal of Biology Education in Indonesia. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(11), 1094–1101. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i11.4048
Torrance, E. P. (1965). Scientific Views of Creativity and Factors Affecting Its Growth. Daedalus, 94(3), 663–681. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20026936
Uzunboylu, H., & Aşıksoy, G. (2014). Research in Physics Education: A Study of Content Analysis. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 136, 425–437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.05.353
Whiston, S. C. & Li, P. (2011). Meta-Analysis: A Systematic Method for Synthesizing Counseling Research. Journal of Conseling and Development, 89(3), 273-281. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2011.tb00089.x
World Economic Forum. (2020). The future of jobs report 2020 (Issue October). https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2020/digest
Yang, K. K., Lee, L., Hong, Z. R., & Lin, H. shyang. (2016). Investigation of effective strategies for developing creative science thinking. International Journal of Science Education, 38(13), 2133–2151. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2016.1230685
Yudistira, A. A., & Suparman. (2023). Research Trends in Creative Thinking Skills in Mathematics Education. ASEANA Science and Education Journal, 3(2), 17–28. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.53797/aseana.v3i2.3.2023
Zhang, J. (2024). Application of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Educational Assessment: Enhancing Teaching and Learning Management in Beijing Junior High Schools. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 2024(112), 301–320. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2024.112.017
Authors
Pratama, F. Y., Mahardiani, L., & Bramastia, B. (2025). Research trends of creative thinking skill in science education journals in Indonesia: Design analysis and data analysis techniques. Journal of Environment and Sustainability Education, 3(1), 88–98. https://doi.org/10.62672/joease.v3i1.66
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