A bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review of project based learning in K12 education

Abstract

This research integrates systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis methods to evaluate the role of the Project-Based Learning (PjBL) approach in developing 21st-century skills among K–12 students. This study uniquely combines large-scale bibliometric mapping with a targeted systematic review to bridge macro-level research trends and micro-level pedagogical implications. The scientific implication of this hybrid design is that it provides a dual-perspective roadmap: the bibliometric results reveal global structural shifts and emerging gaps, while the systematic synthesis offers actionable strategies for scaling PjBL from isolated classroom experiments to broader curriculum-wide integrations. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search in ScienceDirect and Scopus yielded 20 core articles (2020–2025) for qualitative synthesis, while 1,345 articles were analyzed bibliometrically to visualize collaboration networks and keyword relationships. The findings reveal PjBL’s significant potential in enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, particularly within STEM and computational thinking contexts. By identifying critical limitations in teacher competence and technical infrastructure, this review aims to suggest potential directions for future research, particularly emphasizing the potential benefits of longitudinal studies on institutional support..Overall, the results provide a high-resolution baseline for researchers and practitioners to enhance PjBL’s effectiveness in contemporary K–12 educational settings.