Global Trends and Scholarly Patterns in Ethnophysics: A Hybrid Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis
Keywords:
Ethnophysics, Ethnoscience, Physics learning, Quality educationAbstract
Ethnophysics has emerged as a culturally responsive approach that integrates local wisdom with physics learning; however, existing studies remain fragmented and lack a comprehensive global mapping of research trends, collaboration patterns, and future directions. The absence of a bibliometric-based synthesis creates a gap in understanding the development and sustainability of Ethnophysics scholarship. This study aims to systematically analyze the global scientific landscape of Ethnophysics and evaluate its future research relevance. A hybrid method combining Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis was employed. Publications indexed in Scopus up to December 1, 2025, were analyzed using VOSviewer to identify trends in publication, keyword co-occurrence, authorship networks, and thematic evolution. The findings indicate a significant growth in Ethnophysics research, predominantly concentrated in Indonesia, with emerging international collaborations. Major themes include contextual learning, integration of local wisdom, and problem-solving skills, while gaps remain in cross-cultural comparative studies and in large-scale empirical validation. The study confirms that Ethnophysics continues to hold strong scholarly significance and offers substantial opportunities for interdisciplinary expansion. The novelty of this research lies in providing the first comprehensive bibliometric mapping of Ethnophysics, offering strategic insights to strengthen the global knowledge ecosystem of culturally grounded science education.
References
Adam, U.A., Onowugbeda, F.U., Islami, N., Ogolo, K.G. (2024). Testing the potency of ethnoscience instruction on biology students’ critical thinking ability. Journal of Educational Research, 117(4), 218-227. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2024.2373464
Arisanti, A., Nurlailiyah, A., Lestari, N.A., Misbah, Deta, U.A., Prahani, B.K. (2024). Ethnophysics concepts analysis: Traditional vs. modern game in lato-lato and Newton's pendulum. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2900(1), 012028 https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2900/1/012028
Derlina., Sahyar., Harahap, R.I.S., Sinaga, B. (2021). Application of ethnophysics integrated with culturally responsive teaching (CRT) methods to improve generic skills of Indonesian science students. Educational Sciences Theory and Practice, 21 (1), 68-83. https://doi.org/10.12738/jestp.2021.1.006
Derlina., Sinulingga, K., Maryono, Sahyar., & Sinaga, B. (2019). Ethnophysics in learning based on Javanese culture to improve the generic skills of students’ science. International Journal of Innovation Creativity and Change, 9(9), 226-241. https://www.ijicc.net/images/vol9iss9/9920_Derlina_2019_E_R.pdf
Dewi, C.T., Kuswanto, H., Rahmat, A.D., Sihana. (2024). The effectiveness of virtual laboratory integrated blacksmith ethnophysics in enhancing data literacy and graphic representation skills. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 14(8), 1155-1163. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2024.14.8.2144
Dos Santos, V.F., De Freitas Madruga, Z.E. (2022). Ethnophysics in academic research. Revista Conhecimento Online. 2, 220-235.
Faizah, S. N., Yuliati, L., and Pristiani, R. (2025). Problem-solving skills of prospective elementary teachers: A systematic literature review. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 9(5), e2026253 https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2026253
Jatmiko, B., Rahman, N. R., Prahani, B. K., Hasyim, F., Saphira, H. V. (2025). Research analysis of critical thinking skills in physics learning in higher education. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 9(5), e2026215. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2026215
Jufrida, J., Kurniawan, W., Furqon, M., Falah, H.S., Riantoni, C. (2025). AI-driven ethnoscience learning: Enhancing physics education through Malay cultural insights. Journal of Information Technology Education: Innovations in Practice, 24, 13. https://doi.org/10.28945/5520
Kurniawan, W., Jufrida., Basuku, F.R., Fitaloka, O., Anwar, K. (2019). The analysis of ethnophysics process in making traditional machete in Indonesia. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research, 8(10), 1946-1949. https://www.ijstr.org/final-print/oct2019/The-Analysis-Of-Ethnophysics-Process-In-Making-Traditional-Machete-In-Indonesia.pdf
Lenz, G. H., Insensee, R., Milich, K.J., Pease, D.E., & Rowe, J.C. (2016). A Critical History of the New American Studies 1970-1990.
Lestari, H., Doyan, A., 'ardhuha, J., Harjono, A. (2025). Project based learning model on students' critical thinking skills on the material of elasticity and Hooke's law. AMPLITUDO: Journal of Science and Technology Innovation, 4(2), 84-91. https://doi.org/10.56566/amplitudo.v4i2.427
Lubis, M. A. & Rasyid, A. (2023). Implementation of learning model of the angkola Batak culture responsive experience in digital era. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2805(1), 090037. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0166498
Nadzirin, A., Suprapto, N., Admoko, S., Hidaayatullah, H.N., Prahani, B. K. (2024). Ethnophysics on the dynamical concept of ancak Robyong: A local Wisdom in East Java Indonesia. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3116(1), 060040. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0210080
Nadzirin, A., Suprapto, N., Admoko, S., Hidayaayatullaah, H. N., Prahani, B. K. (2024). Ethnophysics on the dynamical concept of "ancak Robyong": A local wisdom in East Java Indonesia. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3116(1), 060040 https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0210080
Nisa’ K. & Suprapto, N. (2024). Rasch analysis to detect bias on gender and domicile in ethno-physics test and students' answer. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3116(1), 100011. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0210081
Nisa’, K. & Suprapto, N. (2024). Rasch analysis to detect bias on gender and domicile in ethno-physics test and students' answer. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3116(1), 100011 https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0210081
Nisa’, K., Suprapto, N. Shofuyah, N. & Cheng, T. H. (2024). How does ethnoscience-students’ worksheet (ESW) influence in science learning. Journal of Education and Learning https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v18i2.21178
Prahani, B. K., Dawana, I. R., Jatmiko, B., and Amelia, T. (2023). Research trend of big data in education during the last 10 years. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 18(10). https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i10.38453
Prakoso, A.F., Wahyono, H., Nasikh., Ginanjar, A.E., Srisuk, P. (2025). Researching career readiness to promote societal well-being and drive the 3rd SDGs. E3S Web of Conferences, 640, 03004. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202564003004
Putra, A. M.S., Putri, A.N.L., Angelina, O.P., Lutfi, T., & Handayani, R.D. (2023). Analysis of physics concept of center of mass and equilibrium at the traditional dance of tari Piring, West Sumatera. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2614, 050069. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0125929
Rizki, I.A., Mirsa, F.R., Islamiyah, A.N., Ramadani, R., Habibbulloh, M. (2025). Ethnoscience-enhanced physics virtual simulation and augmented reality with inquiry learning: Impact on students’ creativity and motivation. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 57, 101846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2025.101846
Safitri A. I. and Admoko, S. (2024). Bibliometric study: Effectiveness of physics learning media in the Merdeka Belajar curriculum to improve students’ critical thinking skills. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(1), 25–37, 2024. https://jppipa.unram.ac.id/index.php/jppipa/article/view/6100/4653
Setiawan, B., Kurnia, I. R., Hafifah, D. N., & Iasha, V. (2025). Pendekatan STEM untuk meningkatkan literasi lingkungan dan kesadaran sosial-ekologis siswa sekolah dasar berbasis tujuan pembangunan berkelanjutan (SDGs). International Journal of Education and Learning Studies, 1(1), 49-62. https://doi.org/10.64421/ijels.v1i1.5
Simanjuntak, N.M., Muhajir, Haerussaleh, Hatip, A., Suraya, W. Sustainable numeracy literacy learning based on local wisdom through digital media: an ethnomathematical approach to quality education and environmental awareness. E3S Web of Conferences, 657, 05002 https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20256570502
Sunarti, T., Suprapto, N., Hidaayatullaah, H. N., Admoko, S., Jauhariyah, M.N.R. Evaluating student responses to Ethnophysics learning: Improving scientific literacy and problem-solving skills using a PLS-SEM approach. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 7(10), e2025454 https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2025454
Sunarti, T., Suprato, N., Hidaayatullah, H. N., Suliyanah., and Admoko, S. (2025). Evaluating student responses to Ethnophysics learning: Improving scientific literacy and problem-solving skills using a PLS-SEM approach. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 7(10), e2025454. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2025454
Tanjung, Y.I., Festiyed, Diliarosta, S., Fadillah, M.A., Makrooni, G. (2025). Culturally Responsive Teaching in Science Education and its Relationship with Technopreneurship. APTISI Transactions on Technopreneurship, 7(2), 387-399. https://doi.org/10.34306/att.v7i2.563
Utami, P.L., Suprapto, N., Hidaayatullah H. N., Wibowo, F. C., & Sanjaya, L.A. (Bibliometric analysis of implementation Indonesian local wisdom in physics learning during 1986-2023. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3116(1), 060050. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0210761
Widyaningsih, S.W., Kuswandi, D., Setyosari, P., Ulfa, S., Yusuf, I. (2025). Ethnophysics in project-based seamless learning about temperature and heat. Physics Teacher, 63(9), 768-772. https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0274490
Yuliana, I., Jatmiko, B., Widodo, W, Suryanti. (2025). Mapping ethnoscience in multidisciplinary research over the last two decades: A bibliometric analysis. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 8(11) e2025343. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2025343
Yuliana, I., Jatmiko, B., Widodo, W., and Suryanti. (2025). Mapping ethnoscience in multidisciplinary research over the last two decades: A bibliometric analysis. Multidisciplinary Reviews. 8(11), e2025343. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2025343
Zawawi, D., Idris, A., & Holihun. (2025). Penegakan hukum terhadap pencemaran air sungai pawan di kabupaten ketapang. Innovative: Journal of Social Science Research, 5(4), 9129–9144. https://doi.org/10.31004/innovative.v5i4.20906
