Bibliometric Review of Realistic Mathematics Education Implementation in Scopus and Google Scholar Database  

Authors

  • Ernest Frimpong Akosah Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development image/svg+xml
  • Moses Agyemang Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development image/svg+xml
  • Jones Osei

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46328/ijofes.5332

Keywords:

Google Scholar, Mathematics education, Bibliometrics, Realistic mathematics education, Scopus

Abstract

This bibliometric review provides a comprehensive analysis of research on the implementation of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) in school curricula from 2013 to 2023, using data sourced from Scopus and Google Scholar. Despite the demonstrated benefits of RME in fostering student-centered learning and real-world applications in mathematics, a systematic examination of global trends, prevalent research methodologies, and geographic and journal distributions in this field is limited. Addressing this gap, the review analyzes 187 articles to identify trends in RME literature, including recurring themes, dominant research designs, countries most engaged in RME research, and leading journals. The findings reveal an emphasis on qualitative studies, with a need for more rigorous quantitative and mixed-methods approaches to substantiate RME's effectiveness across varied educational contexts. Additionally, RME research is concentrated in a few countries, such as the Netherlands, Indonesia, and the United States, suggesting limited exploration in regions where RME could address educational inequalities. Recommendations include expanding research on RME’s quantitative impact, especially in underrepresented regions, and promoting cross-cultural studies to better understand RME’s adaptability. Journals focusing on educational innovation are essential for publishing interdisciplinary RME research, which could advance inclusive mathematics education on a global scale.

References

Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). Bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of informetrics, 11(4), 959-975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007

Battista, M. T., Clements, D. H., Arnoff, J., Battista, K., & Borrow, C. V. A. (1998). Students' spatial structuring of 2D arrays of squares. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 29(5), 503-532. https://doi.org/10.5951/jresematheduc.29.5.0503

Bakker, A., & van Eerde, D. (2015). An introduction to design-based research with an example from statistics education. In Approaches to qualitative research in mathematics education (pp. 429-466). Springer, Dordrecht. (Referenced for methodological emphasis on qualitative research in RME).

Bounou, A., Lavidas, K., Komis, V., Papadakis, S., & Manoli, P. (2023). Correlation between high school students’ computational thinking and their performance in STEM and language courses. Education Sciences, 13(11), 1101. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13111101

Bulut, M., Bulut, A., & Kaban, A. (2023). Bibliometric Analysis of the Studies on Web-Based Language Teaching. International Journal of Technology in Education, 6(3), 455-474.

Caraan, D. R., Dinglasan, J. K., & Ching, D. (2023). Effectiveness of realistic mathematics education approach on problem-solving skills of students. International Journal of Educational Management and Development Studies, 4(2), 64-87. https://doi.org/10.53378/352980

Callon, M., Law, J., & Rip, A. (1986). Mapping the dynamics of science and technology: Sociology of science in the real world. In M. Callon, J. Law, & A. Rip (Eds.), Mapping the dynamics of science and technology (pp. 101-217). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-07408-2

Clark, D. B., & Sengupta, P. (2019). Reconceptualizing games for integrating computational thinking and science as practice: Collaborative agent-based disciplinarily-integrated games. Interactive Learning Environments, 28(3), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2019.1636071

De Winter, J. C., Zadpoor, A. A., & Dodou, D. (2014). The expansion of Google Scholar versus Web of Science: A longitudinal study. Scientometrics, 98, 1547–1565.

Do, T.-T., Hoang, K. C., Do, T., Trinh, T. P. T., Nguyen, D. N., Tran, T., Le, T. T. B. T., Nguyen, T. C., & Nguyen, T.-T. (2021). Factors influencing teachers' intentions to use realistic mathematics education in Vietnam: An extension of the theory of planned behavior. Journal on Mathematics Education, 12(2), 331-348. http://doi.org/10.22342/jme.12.2.14094.331-348

Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285-296.

Doorman, M., Drijvers, P., Dekker, T., van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, M., de Lange, J., & Wijers, M. (2016). Problem solving as a challenge for mathematics education in the Netherlands. ZDM, 39(5-6), 405-418. doi:10.1007/s11858-007-0043-2.

Drijvers, P., Grauwin, S., & Trouche, L. (2020). When bibliometrics met mathematics education research: The case of instrumental orchestration. ZDM Mathematics Education, 52, 1455–1469. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-020-01169-3

Drijvers, P., Thurm, D., Vandervieren, E., Klinger, M., Moons, F., van der Ree, H., ... & Doorman, M. (2021). Distance mathematics teaching in Flanders, Germany, and the Netherlands during COVID-19 lockdown. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 108(1), 35-64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-021-10094-5

Fauzi, A; Waluya, A & Masrukan. (2019). Pembelajaran Matematika dengan Pendekatan Realistic Mathematics Education (Rme) Berbasis Soal Open–Ended untuk Meningkatkan Komunikasi Matematika. Phenomenon, Tahun. 9(1), 87-98.

Fredriksen, H. (2021). Exploring realistic mathematics education in a flipped classroom context at the tertiary level. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 19, 377–396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-020-10053-1

Freudenthal, H. (1973). Mathematics as an educational task. D. Reidel Publishing company. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2903-2

Freudenthal, H. (1991). Revisiting mathematics education: China lectures. Springer Science & Business Media. (Referenced for foundational understanding of RME as an approach).

Gravemeijer, K. (2020). A socio-constructivist elaboration of realistic mathematics education. National reflections on the Netherlands didactics of mathematics: Teaching and learning in the context of realistic mathematics education, 217-233.

Gravemeijer, K. P., & Cobb, P. (2006). Design research from a learning design perspective. In J. V. D. Akker, K. Gravemeijer, S. McKenney, & N. Nieveen (Eds.), Educational Design Research (pp. 17–51). Routledge.

Gravemeijer, K., & Terwel, J. (2000). Hans Freudenthal: a mathematician on didactics and curriculum theory. Journal of curriculum studies, 32(6), 777-796. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220270050167170

Hadi, H., Juandi, D., & Rusdiana, D. (2023). Problem Solving Ability Analysis: Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Mathematics and Mathematics Education, 13(1), 33-43.

https://doi.org/10.20961/jmme.v13i1.73819

Hafid, H., Syamsuddin, A., & Sulfasyah, S. (2022). The Effect of Realistic Mathematics Approach on Mathematical Problem-Solving Ability of Elementary School Students. Pedagogik Journal of Islamic Elementary School, 5(2), 145–156. https://doi.org/10.24256/pijies.v5i2.2973

Hallinger, P., & Nguyen, V.-T. (2020). Mapping the landscape and structure of research on education for sustainable development: A bibliometric review. Sustainability, 12(5), 1947. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051947

Hartling, L., Hamm, M., Milne, A., Vandermeer, B., Santaguida, P. L., Ansari, M.,& Dryden, D. M. (2017). A systematic review of interventions to prevent overweight and obesity in preschool children: A focus on parental involvement. Obesity Reviews, 18(1), 2-17. https:// doi:10.1111/obr.12460.

Hasibuan, A. M., Saragih, S., & Amry, Z. (2019). Development of Learning Materials Based on Realistic Mathematics Education to Improve Problem Solving Ability and Student Learning Independence. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 14(1), 243-252.

https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/4000

Ismail, R. N., Arnawa, I. M., & Yerizon, Y. (2020). Student worksheet usage effectiveness based on realistic mathematics educations toward mathematical communication ability of junior high school student. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1554(1), 012044. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1554/1/012044

Julius, R., Abd Halim, M. S., Abdul Hadi, N., Alias, A. N., Mohd Khalid, M. H., Mahfodz, Z., & Ramli, F. F. (2021). Bibliometric analysis of research in mathematics education using Scopus database. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 17(12), em2040.

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11329

Kaban, A. (2023). An Examination of the Studies on Learning Analytics: A Bibliometric Mapping Analysis. International Journal of Technology in Education and Science, 7(2), 211-229.

Khairunnisak, C., Johar, R., Maulina, S., Zubainur, C. M., & Maidiyah, E. (2024). Teachers’ understanding of realistic mathematics education through a blended professional development workshop on designing learning trajectory. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 55(4), 805-828. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2022.2038800

Laurens, T., Batlolona, F. A., Batlolona, J. R., & Leasa, M. (2018). How does Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) improve students' mathematics cognitive achievement? Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 14(2), 569-578. https://doi.org/10.12973/ejmste/76959

Lozada, E., Guerrero-Ortiz, C., Coronel, A., & Medina, R. (2021). Classroom methodologies for teaching and learning ordinary differential equations: A systemic literature review and bibliometric analysis. Mathematics, 9(7), 745. https://doi.org/10.3390/math9070745

Man, D. W. K., Tsang, W. S. F., Lu, E. Y., & Tsang, H. W. H. (2019). Bibliometric study of research productivity in occupational therapy and physical therapy/physiotherapy in four Western countries and five Asian countries/regions. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 66(6), 690–699. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12608

Naldi, W., & Herman, T. (2023, June). Implementation of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) Approach to Elementary School Mathematics Problem Solving Ability. In International Conference on Elementary Education (Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 693-704). Retrieved from

http://proceedings2.upi.edu/index.php/icee/article/view/3154

Negara, H.R.P., Ibrahim, M., Kurniawati, K.R.A., Firdaus, A., Maulidina, R., & Saifudin, M. (2021). The effect of the Realistic Mathematic Education (RME) learning model on students’ mathematical problem solving abilities: A meta-analysis. Justek: Jurnal Sains dan Teknologi, 4(1), 40-51. https://doi.org/10.31764/justek.v4i1.4517

Nguyen, T. T., Dekker, R., & Goedhart, M. J. (2007). Preparing Vietnamese student teachers for teaching with a student-centered approach. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 11(1), 61–81.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10857-007-9058-4

Nivens, R., & Otten, S. (2017). Case study methodology in mathematics education research: From exploration to explanation. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 20(2), 101-117.

https://doi:10.1007/s10857-017-9364-8.

Nurnaningsih, L., Prahmana, R. C. I., & Yunianto, W. (2024). The integration of Ethno-RME in MatCityMap application to support students’ learning of system of linear equations: A case of Mangkujo Math Trail. Journal of Honai Math, 7(1), 155-176. https://doi.org/10.30862/jhm.v7i1.599

Özkaya, A. (2018). Bibliometric analysis of the studies in the field of mathematics education. Educational Research and Reviews, 13(22), 723-734. https://doi.org/10.5897/ERR2018.3603

Pham, H.-H., Dong, T. K. T., Vuong, Q. H., Luong, D. H., Nguyen, T.-T., Dinh, V. H., & Ho, M.-T. (2021). A bibliometric review of research on international student mobilities in Asia with Scopus dataset between 1984 and 2019. Scientometrics, 126, 5201-5224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-021-03965-4

Prahmana, R. C. I., Arnal-Palacián, M., Risdiyanti, I., & Ramadhani, R. (2023). Trivium curriculum in Ethno-RME approach: An impactful insight from ethnomathematics and realistic mathematics education. Jurnal Elemen, 9(1), 298-316. https://doi.org/10.29408/jel.v9i1.7262

Pritchard, A. (1969). Statistical bibliography or bibliometrics? Journal of Documentation, 25(4), 348–349.

Purwitaningrum, R., & Prahmana, R. C. I. (2021). Developing instructional materials on mathematics logical thinking through the Indonesian realistic mathematics education approach. International Journal of Education and Learning, 3(1), 13–19. https://doi.org/10.31763/ijele.v3i1.178

Qomario, Q., Tohir, A., & Mashari, A. (2020). The effect of realistic mathematical approaches towards the students’ math learning outcomes. Jurnal Prima Edukasia, 8(1), 78-85.

https://doi.org/10.21831/jpe.v8i1.32577

Seetharam, A., Ali, M. T., Wang, C. Y., Schultz, K. E., Fischer, J. P., Lunsford, S., Whipple, E. C., Loder, R. T., & Kacena, M. A. (2018). Authorship trends in the journal of orthopedic research: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 36(11), 3071–3080. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.24054

Sembiring, R. K., Hadi, S., & Dolk, M. (2008). Reforming mathematics learning in Indonesian classrooms through RME. ZDM - International Journal on Mathematics Education, 40(6), 927-939. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-008-0125-9

Tan, L. G. (2023). Real-Life Valuation and Re-Configuring Instructional Approach of Learning Mathematics Among College Non-Math-Oriented Students. Journal of Namibian Studies: History Politics Culture, 33, 1745-1765. https://doi.org/10.59670/jns.v33i.3165

Tien-Trung, N., Thao, T.T.P., Hang, N.V.T., Ngoc-Anh, H., Trung, T., Hiep-Hung, P., & Van Nghi, B. (2020). Realistic mathematics education in Vietnam: Recent policies and practices. International Journal of Education and Practice, 8(1), 57-71. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.61.2020.81.57.71

Tong, D. H., Nguyen, T. T., Uyen, B. P., Ngan, L. K., Khanh, L. T., & Tinh, P. T. (2022). Realistic mathematics education's effect on students' performance and attitudes: A case of ellipse topics learning. European Journal of Educational Research, 11(1), 403-421. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.11.1.403

Treffers, A. (1993). Wiskobas and Freudenthal realistic mathematics education. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 25, 89-108. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01274104

Trung, N. T., Thao, T. P., & Trung, T. (2019). Realistic mathematics education (RME) and didactical situations in mathematics (DSM) in the context of education reform in Vietnam. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1340(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1340/1/012032

Trung, T., Tien-Trung, N., & Thao, T. T. P. (2020). Mathematics teaching in Vietnam in the context of technological advancement and the need of connecting to the real world. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 19(3), 255-275. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.19.3.14

Tumangger, W. R., Khalil, I. A., & Prahmana, R. C. I. (2024). The impact of realistic mathematics education-based student worksheet for improving students’ mathematical problem-solving skills. IndoMath: Indonesia Mathematics Education, 7(2), 196-215.

Van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, M. (2020). National reflections on the Netherlands didactics of mathematics teaching and learning in the context. Springer Open. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33824-4

Van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, M., Drijvers, P. (2020). Realistic Mathematics Education. In: Lerman, S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Mathematics Education (pp. 713-717). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15789-0_170

Van Steenbrugge, H., & Ryve, A. (2018). Developing a reform mathematics curriculum program in Sweden: Relating international research and the local context. ZDM, 50, 801-812.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-018-0972-y

Vos, P. (2020). Task contexts in Dutch mathematics education. In Van den Heuvel-Panhuizen M. (Eds). National reflections on the Netherlands didactics of mathematics. Springer.

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33824-4_3

Widjaja, W., Dolk, M., & Fauzan, A. (2019). Implementation challenges in Realistic Mathematics Education: Indonesia as a case study. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 17(2), 349-369.

Wittmann, E. C. (2020). The impact of Hans Freudenthal and the Freudenthal institute on the project Mathe 2000. In M. van den Heuvel-Panhuizen (Ed.), International reflections on the Netherlands didactics of mathematics (pp. 63-69). Springer Open. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20223-1_4

Zulkardi, Putri, R. I. I., Wijaya, A. (2020). Two Decades of Realistic Mathematics Education in Indonesia. In: van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, M. (eds) International Reflections on the Netherlands Didactics of Mathematics (pp. 325–340). ICME-13 Monographs. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20223-1_18

Zupic, I., & Čater, T. (2015). Bibliometric methods in management and organization. Organizational Research Methods, 18(3), 429-472. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428114562629

Downloads

Published

2026-06-01

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Bibliometric Review of Realistic Mathematics Education Implementation in Scopus and Google Scholar Database  . (2026). International Journal of Education Science, 3(1), 60-77. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijofes.5332

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.