DOI: 10.18848/2327-7971/cgp/a222 ISSN: 2327-915X

Mapping Global Research on Scaffolding for Mathematical Thinking

Suci Wulandari, Sri Novia Martin, Desy Eka Muliani, Asrina Mulyati, Fitri Miftahurrizky, Vivi Ayu Lestari
Show PDF Cite
<p>Scaffolding is widely recognized as an essential pedagogical strategy for fostering mathematical thinking skills; however, a comprehensive mapping of global research directions in this field remains limited. The primary objective of this article is to analyze publication trends, scholarly collaborations, and key themes related to scaffolding in mathematics learning using a bibliometric approach. Data was retrieved from the Scopus database covering publications between 2016 and 2025 and analyzed using VOSviewer to visualize keywords co-occurrence, author networks, and institutional affiliations. The findings reveal that scientific output is dominated by journal articles (63.4%), with an upward trend that peaked in 2020. Significant contributions emerge from the social sciences, computer science, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education sectors. Geographically, Indonesia, the United States, and China are the leading contributors, with Indonesian public universities occupying the top positions among affiliations. Keyword visualization identified scaffolding as a central node closely associated with mathematics education, problem-solving, and computational thinking, while thinking skills have emerged as a promising new research domain. Furthermore, an analysis of highly cited articles underscores the effectiveness of scaffolding in enhancing students’ cognitive, affective, and social competencies. These findings provide a foundation for future research to design adaptive and innovative scaffolding strategies to foster mathematical thinking skills.</p>

More from our Archive