Study of Analytical Thinking Skills Research Trends: from Design Perspective to Data Analysis Techniques

Abstract

The development of analytical thinking skills is one of the various competencies that 21st-century education aims to achieve. The purpose of this study is to analyze trends in analytical thinking skills research, reviewed from the aspects of research design to data analysis methods. This study uses content analysis on a number of articles published in Scopus-indexed international journals between 2015 and 2024, with analytical thinking skills as the main focus of the research. This review study shows that in the last eight years, the number of publications focusing on analytical thinking skills has increased. The peak was in 2022. After this year, the trend declined. Among these publications, quantitative research was the most dominant, with survey studies being the most frequently conducted compared to other quantitative research. In addition, high school students were the most targeted subjects. Tests and proportion analysis were the most frequently used instruments and data analysis methods. In light of these findings, recommendations for future research include the need for studies on analytical thinking skills as the main focus, as well as an increase in the variety of research and the selection of more appropriate data analysis techniques.