Biology Learning Research Trends Based on Quantitative Literacy to Improve Higher Order Thinking Skills: A Literature Review

Authors

  • Waliyyatu Azzahra ORCID iD Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
  • Hertien Koosbandiah Surtikanti ORCID iD Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
  • Riandi ORCID iD Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

Keywords:

Quantitative literacy, Higher-order thinking skills, Biology learning

Abstract

Empowerment of higher-order thinking skills is one of the goals to be achieved in 21st century learning. Learning in biology has led to quantitative data that requires reasoning and analysis to understand it. This literature review aims to discover trends in quantitative literacy-based learning research to increase HOTS. The research method used is a systematic literature review of several reputable articles published in recent years through content analysis. Based on the 16 papers used in this review, it was found that there was a tendency to increase research variation in various methods. This study also shows that ecological material is the most widely used topic in research related to quantitative literacy, both at the high school and university levels. Concerning the findings of this study, several recommendations have been put forward for future research that underpins quantitative literacy as the main focus in increasing HOTS. Some of these recommendations include increasing the variety of types of research and choosing a more diverse biological topic.

References

Alsarayreh, R. S. (2021). Developing critical thinking skills in biology course using two active learning strategies. Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences, 16(1), 221–237. https://doi.org/10.18844/cjes.v16i1.5521

Amoah, C. A., Gyang, N. O., & Agbosu, A. A. (2018). Assessing the reasoning skills of biology students in selected senior high schools in Ghana. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 7(3), 2017–2019. https://doi.org/10.24940/ijird/2018/v7/i3/mar18025

Azzahra, W., Diana, S., Nuraeni., E., 2025. Teachers' Perceptions of Numeracy Literacy-Based Biology Learning. EASE Letters, 4(1), 193-206. https://easeletters.org/jms/index.php/easeletters/article/view/167

Chee, K. N., Yahaya, N., & Ibrahim, N. H. (2018). An evaluation of the learning effectiveness of a formulated ideal social, collaborative mobile learning environment application towards cognitive level in biology. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 12(2), 162–189. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijmlo.2018.10010753

Fauzi, A., & Fariantika, A. (2018). Courses perceived as difficult by undergraduate students majoring in biology. Biosfer, 11(2), 78–89. https://doi.org/10.21009/biosferjpb.v11n2.78-89

Fitriani, A., Zubaidah, S., Susilo, H., & Al Muhdhar, M. H. I. (2020). PBLPOE: A learning model to enhance student’s critical thinking skills and scientific attitudes. International Journal of Instruction, 13(2), 89–106. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2020.1327a

Flanagan, K. M., & Einarson, J. (2017). Gender, math confidence, and grit: Relationships with quantitative skills and performance in an undergraduate biology course. CBE Life Sciences Education, 16(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.16-08-0253

Hujjatusnaini, N., Corebima, A. D., Prawiro, S. R., & Gofur, A. (2022). The effect of Blended Project-Based Learning integrated with 21st-century skills on pre-service biology teachers’ higher-order thinking skills. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia, 11(1), 104–118. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v11i1.27148

Isnaeni, W., Sujatmiko, Y. A., & Pujiasih, P. (2021). Analysis of the role of android-based learning media in learning critical thinking skills and scientific attitude. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia, 10(4), 607–617. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v10i4.27597

Klug, J. L., Carey, C. C., Richardson, D. C., & Gougis, R. D. (2017). Analysis of high‐frequency and long‐term data in undergraduate ecology classes improves quantitative literacy. Ecosphere, 8(3), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1733

Olimpo, J. T., Pevey, R. S., & McCabe, T. M. (2018). Incorporating an Interactive Statistics Workshop into an Introductory Biology Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Enhances Students’ Statistical Reasoning and Quantitative Literacy Skills. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, 19(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.v19i1.1450

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. The BMJ, 372, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Saenab, S., Zubaidah, S., Mahanal, S., & Lestari, S. R. (2021). Recode to re-code An instructional model to accelerate students’ critical thinking skills. Education Sciences, 11(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/EDUCSCI11010002

Senisum, M., Susilo, H., Suwono, H., & Ibrohim. (2022). GIReSiMCo: A learning model to scaffold students’ science process skills and biology cognitive learning outcomes. Education Sciences, 12(4), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12040228

Soule, D., Darner, R., O’Reilly, C. M., Bader, N. E., Meixner, T., Gibson, C. A., & McDuff, R. E. (2018). EDDIE modules are effective learning tools for developing quantitative literacy and seismological understanding. Journal of Geoscience Education, 66(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/10899995.2018.1411708

Stanhope, L., Ziegler, L., Haque, T., Le, L., Vinces, M., Davis, G. K., Zieffler, A., Brodfuehrer, P., Preest, M., Belitsky, J. M., Umbanhowar, C., & Overvoorde, P. J. (2017). Development of a biological science quantitative reasoning exam (Biosquare). CBE Life Sciences Education, 16(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.16-10-0301

Sung, R. J., Swarat, S. L., & Lo, S. M. (2022). Doing coursework without doing biology: undergraduate students’ non-conceptual strategies to problem-solving. Journal of Biological Education, 56(3), 271–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2020.1785925

Suwono, H., Pratiwi, H. E., Susanto, H., & Susilo, H. (2017). Enhancement of students’ biological literacy and critical thinking of biology through socio-biological case-based learning. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia, 6(2), 213–222. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v6i2.9622

Wikanta, W., & Susilo, H. (2022). Higher order thinking skills achievement for biology education students in case-based biochemistry learning. International Journal of Instruction, 15(4), 835–854. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2022.15445a

Downloads

Published

13-05-2025

How to Cite

Azzahra, W., Surtikanti, H. K., & Riandi. (2025). Biology Learning Research Trends Based on Quantitative Literacy to Improve Higher Order Thinking Skills: A Literature Review. META: Journal of Science and Technological Education, 4(1), 50–61. Retrieved from https://meta.amiin.or.id/index.php/meta/article/view/142

Issue

Section

Articles