Global Mapping of Research on Mathematics Learning Difficulties: A Bibliometric Analysis of Cognitive Factors and Educational Technology

Wahana : Tridarma Perguruan Tinggi
Vol 77 No 2 (2025): Wahana Tridarma Perguruan Tinggi

Difficulty learning mathematics is a crucial issue in global education, influencing cognitive development and student achievement. This study aims to map global research trends on difficulty learning mathematics and cognitive factors using a bibliometric approach. A total of 215 initial documents were identified from the Scopus database for the 2016–2025 period, which were then rigorously screened, resulting in 168 relevant documents for analysis. Analysis was performed using VOSviewer 1.6.20, focusing on publication and citation trend analysis, keyword co-occurrence, and collaboration networks of authors and institutions. The results indicate a dominance of contributions from developed countries (the United States, England, China), followed by increasing participation from developing countries like Indonesia. Major research clusters include working memory, mathematics anxiety, problem solving, and the integration of machine learning and gamification. Practically, this mapping provides a foundation for curriculum developers and educators to design technology-based adaptive learning interventions, while also fostering international collaboration to address the global mathematics literacy gap.