Research Trends on Elementary STEAM Education Published in Domestic Journals

This study analyzes research trends in papers on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education published in indexed and candidate journals from 2012 (when STEAM education began in earnest) to 2023. To this end, three specific research objectives were set. The study analyzed 251 papers retrieved from the Korean Educational Research Information Service (KERIS) using the keywords “elementary STEAM” and “integrated talent education.” The analysis focused on paper characteristics (publication year, journal, research purpose), research subjects and elements, and research methods (data collection method, research type). Employing a literature review and frequency analysis using Excel, the study identified key research trends and offered recommendations. By publication year, 2015 saw the most publications (38 papers), followed by 2014 (35), 2016 (33), and 2013 (32). By journal, Learner-Centered Curriculum Education published the most papers (22 papers), followed by the Journal of Science Education (15 papers), Korean Journal of Science Education (13 papers), and Korean Journal of Practical Arts Education (12 papers). Regarding research purposes, studies on impact and effectiveness were the most common (56 papers), followed by those on development and application (51 papers), development (37 papers), and analysis and evaluation (25 papers). With respect to research subjects, most studies focused on students (105 papers), followed by literature-based studies (99 papers) and teachers (39 papers). For STEAM elements, studies covering the STEAM framework were the most common (107 papers), followed by science (S) (44) and art (A) (39). In terms of data collection methods, surveys were the most common (133 papers), followed by literature reviews (99 papers) and questionnaires (12 papers). Research types, in order of frequency, included quantitative, literature-based, qualitative, and integrative studies. These findings suggest the need for future research to diversify the analysis criteria in terms of research topics, purposes, STEAM elements, data collection methods, and research types to broaden the scope of STEAM education research.