Science Education Research Publications in the ASEAN Region: Assessing Gaps for Future Research Directions

The perpetuation of scientific literacy by science education in a knowledge-based economy is deemed a significant factor in improving the economy and the scientific industry in the ASEAN region, an important goal of the ASEAN economic integration. It is, therefore, posited that assessing the gap on the focus of the science education researches in the region is necessary to help achieve said goal. To address this need, this paper discusses the trends and determines the gaps of science education researches in the ASEAN region employing content analysis of 140 research articles in 51 journals published from 2001 to 2016. Results of this study may help improve the different areas in the respective science education programs of ASEAN member countries toward excellent practices in science education. The content analysis of the collected published science education researches has been analyzed according the frequency of research papers published, the subject of research, and the collaboration efforts of the ASEAN country members with other countries in conducting science education researches.