Forty Years of Mathematics Education: 1980-2019

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to establish the evolution and expose the trends of research in mathematics education between 1980 and 2019. The bibliometric analysis of the articles in Web of Science database indicated four-clustered structure. The first cluster covers the items related to the theoretical framework of mathematics education whereas the second cluster has the terms defining the methods for effective mathematics instruction. The third cluster includes the concepts interrelated to mathematics education while the fourth cluster encloses the studies about international mathematics assessments. The earlier studies look mathematics education mostly in students. perspective and investigates generalization, restructuring, interiorization and representation. Between 1995 and 2010, curriculum and teacher-related factors were dominant in mathematics education studies. After 2010, the articles investigated specific topics and carried the traces from all stakeholders in mathematics education. The investigation on the trends of mathematics education would provide gain insight about the areas that need more research, contribute to the researchers, teachers, students and policy makers in this field and light the way for further studies.