Analytical Thinking in Mathematics: A Systematic Literature Review on Research Types and Content

Abstract

Analytical thinking is a crucial cognitive skill in mathematics, enabling learners to effectively decompose complex problems, evaluate relevant evidence, and propose reliable solutions. Despite its significance in mathematical learning, research on analytical thinking in mathematics education remains limited. To address this gap, the present study employs a systematic literature review to comprehensively analyze the current state of research on analytical thinking in the field of mathematics and categorizes the existing literature based on its types and content. Following the PRISMA standards, the study selected 21 relevant articles from major databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The results indicate that the types of research predominantly focus on qualitative studies and quantitative descriptive studies. The content of the research primarily spans five key themes: Instruction and Development of Thinking, Research on Thinking Processes, Assessment and Evaluation of Thinking, Research on Thinking Styles, and Interdisciplinary Research. This study addresses the lack of a systematic synthesis of analytical thinking research in mathematics education. Theoretically, it providing a structured framework for future research. Practically, it identifies effective teaching strategies, guiding educators in fostering analytical thinking and supporting curriculum development.