Mapping E-Module Research In Science Education: A Bibliometric and Systematic Review

Marhayati Setia Ningrum; Didik Setyawarna; Asri Widowati; Winarto Winarto

doi:10.55681/nusra.v7i4.6619

Authors

Marhayati Setia Ningrum Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Didik Setyawarna Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Asri Widowati Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Winarto Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55681/nusra.v7i4.6619

Keywords:

E-Module, Science Education, Bibliometrics, Systematic Literature Review, Research Trends

Abstract

The growing use of digital learning resources has increased scholarly interest in electronic modules (e-modules) for science education. However, the scope of this research, its principal themes, and its geographical and methodological characteristics require systematic synthesis. This study maps research on e-modules in science education by combining a systematic literature review (SLR) with bibliometric analysis. The review followed the four stages of the PRISMA framework and used a search of Scopus conducted on 27 May 2026, supplemented by backward snowballing. The final corpus comprised 35 articles: 24 Scopus-indexed articles used for bibliometric mapping and all 35 articles used for thematic synthesis. Bibliometrix in R and VOSviewer were used to examine publication patterns, contributors, and keyword relationships, while thematic synthesis was used to classify the research focus and identify gaps. The analysis identified seven themes, with critical thinking reported as the most frequent theme in the included corpus. The manuscript also indicates a strong concentration of publications associated with Indonesia; the exact percentage and denominator should be interpreted according to the verified country-level dataset. The review points to the need for broader international collaboration, larger and longitudinal studies, and further investigation of emerging technologies in science e-modules. Because the search was conducted in May 2026, publication counts for 2026 represent partial-year data. The findings provide a structured overview of the reviewed literature rather than a claim of exhaustive coverage of every relevant publication.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

, Y., Hirahmah, A., & Dhanil, M. (2025). Effectiveness of integrated e-modules combining cooperative learning and videos in enhancing physics teaching skills of pre-service teachers. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 24(9), 192–210. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.24.9.10

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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070

Fahru, A. R. S., Kundera, I. N., & Bialangi, M. S. (2024). Professional Flip-Pdf-Based Interactive Modules to Enhance The Creative Thinking Skills and Collaborative Skills of High School Students. Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pengembangan Pendidikan, 8(3), 429–438. https://doi.org/10.23887/jppp.v8i3.76379

Fitri, A. D., & Asrizal, A. (2023). Development of Physics E-Module Integrated with PBL Model and Ethnoscience to Improve Students’ 21st Century Skills. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(12), 10610–10618. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i12.5877

Fry, C. V, Lynham, J., & Tran, S. (2023). Ranking Researchers: Evidence from Indonesia. Research Policy, 52(5), 104753. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2023.104753

Fuadiy, Moch. R., Rozi, M. A. F., Arafah, N. N., Kamal, L., & Sunoko, A. (2025). Mapping the Digital Transformation of Education in Indonesia from 2012 to Early 2025: A Bibliometric Analysis of Scopus-Indexed Publications. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 3(2), 276–306. https://doi.org/10.70376/jerp.v3i2.390

Gürbüz, F., & Aşiksoy, G. (2023). Trends in Critical Thinking Instruction in 21st-Century Research and Practice: Upgrading Instruction in Digital Environments. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 49, 101334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101334

Hamidi, F., Akmala, N., & Wilujeng, I. (2024). Development of PBL-based e-modules to boost students’ science process skills. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(2), 5939. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i2.5939

Kates, M., Fitzpatrick, A., Zhang, Y., Gibbs, A., Liu, Q., Silveira, F. A. D., Freedman, L, & Andreopoulos, S. (2026). Effectiveness of Scientific Literacy and Communication e-Modules in a Molecular Biology Course: A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.70043

Kusumasari, A., Suryawati, E., & Anwar, L. (2024). Development of SSIBL e-modules on ecology and biodiversity materials to improve critical thinking and motivation. Research and Development in Education (RaDEn), 4(2), 1066–1082. https://doi.org/10.22219/raden.v4i2.33775

Liana, D. E., Muzzazinah, & Indrowati, M. (2022). Development of e-modules based on guided inquiry to improve students' critical thinking ability. Nusantara Science and Technology Proceedings, 2022(25), 29–37. https://doi.org/10.11594/nstp.2022.2505

Momani, M. A. K. Al, Alharahasheh, K. A., & Alqudah, M. Z. (2023). Digital Learning in Sciences Education: A Literature Review. Cogent Education, 10(2), 2277007. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2277007

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), 2308407. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2308407

Nurita, T., Yuliati, L., Mahdiannur, M. A., & Ilhami, F. B. (2025). Fostering creative thinking skills in creating domain of Anderson's taxonomy for prospective science teachers using e-modul. TEM Journal, 14(3), 2339–2348. https://doi.org/10.18421/TEM143-39

Nurbaiti, A., Situmorang, R., & Sarifah, I. (2026). A Systematic Literature Review on the Development of Interactive E-Modules in Secondary Schools for the 2021-2025 Period. International Journal of Community Engagement and Development, 4(1), 37–49. https://doi.org/10.59581/ijced.v4i1.91

Oktarina, R., Fitria, Y., Ahmad, S., & Zen, Z. (2023). Development of STEM-Oriented E-Modules to Improve Science Literacy Ability of Elementary School Students. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(7), 5460–5465. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i7.4503

Owan, V. J., Ekpe, M. B., Etor, C. R., Abang, K. E., & Ovat, S. O. (2026). E-learning quality literature: a Scopus based bibliometric review. Discover Education, 5(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-026-01359-3

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Priyani, T., Sugiharto, B., & Fatmawati, U. (2026). An Inquiry-Based e-Module using Black Soldier Fly Maggots to Enhance Students’ Science Process Skills Through Deep Learning. New Educational Review, 83. https://doi.org/10.15804/tner.2026.83.1.11

Setiaji, B., Adiningsih, E. T., Pebriana, I. N., Supahar, Kuswanto, H., Wilujeng, I., & Wiyatmo, Y. (2025). Facilitating Students’ Analytical Thinking Skill and Scientific Attitude in Distance Learning using Local Wisdom-Based Physics Pbl e-Module. Revista Mexicana De Fisica e, 22(2). https://doi.org/10.31349/RevMexFisE.22.020216

Simbolon, M., Pongkondek, J. J., Henukh, A., & Ronchintaniawati, D. (2025). Ai-Driven Sociocultural Interactive Digital Module for Papua: Advancing Educational Technology to Sustainable Development Goals. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.24.2.27

Sujatmika, S., Widyawati, A., Ernawati, T., & Hastuti, P. W. (2024). Fostering Critical Thinking in Science Education: Exploring Effective Pedagogical Models. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 11(7), 149–159. https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2024.07.016

Syachruroji, A., Leksono, S. M., Fathurrohman, M., & Khastini, R. O. (2024). Exploring Research Trends in Science Education to be Implemented in the Elementary School. International Journal of STEM Education for Sustainability, 4(2), 253–266. https://doi.org/10.53889/ijses.v4i2.399

Thobejane, M. I., Mtshali, M. S., & Masha, M. F. (2026). Unlocking Scientific Literacy: The Role of e-Modules and Learning Applications in South African Grade 11 Life Sciences Classrooms. Education Sciences, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16030395

Triandini, E., Jayanatha, S., Indrawan, A., Werla Putra, G., & Iswara, B. (2019). Metode Systematic Literature Review untuk Identifikasi Platform dan Metode Pengembangan Sistem Informasi di Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Information Systems, 1(2), 63–77. https://doi.org/10.24002/ijis.v1i2.1916

Van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2010). Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics, 84(2), 523–538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3

Winangun, I., Suma, K., Iw, S., & Aaiar, S. (2024). E-Modules for Basic Science and Elementary School Concepts Based on Cases in the Context of Local Wisdom. Revista De Gestao Social e Ambiental, 18(9). https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n9-041

Wohlin, C. (2014). Guidelines for Snowballing in Systematic Literature Studies and a Replication in Software Engineering. Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering (EASE ’14), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1145/2601248.2601268

Wulansari, K., Irdawati, I., Razak, A., Chatri, M., & Fajrina, S. (2023). Development of E-Module with STEM Nuances to Improve Students’ Creative Thinking Skills. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(7), 5540–5546. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i7.4417

Yudhoyono, A. H., Sukoco, B. M., Maharani, I. A. K., Putra, I. K., & Suhariadi, F. (2025). Bridging the Gap: Indonesia’s Research Trajectory and National Development through a Scientometric Analysis Using SciVal. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 11(1), 100505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100505

Zhu, X., Wang, Y., & Zhang, L. (2025). Artificial Intelligence in Science Education Research: Current States and Challenges. Journal of Science Education and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-025-10239-8