Health issues within the socioscientific context: Systematic literature review

Health issues present significant and complex challenges to society. This study aimed to investigate research trends related to health issues as socioscientific issues (SSI). The SSI articles analysed were from three prominent data sources: Scopus, Google Scholar, and Pubmed. Articles were retrieved via Harzing's Publish or Perish application based on published between 2018 to 2023 and the keyword "Socioscientific Issue". There were 415 articles obtained and screened using the Prisma technique, leaving 81 eligible articles. The articles underwent qualitative content analysis and quantitative bibliometric analysis using the VOSviewer software to determine research topics, research objectives, and the learning model implemented. According to the research findings, qualitative analysis showed the dominant topics were genetic modification (28.3%), COVID-19 (17.2%), and food additives (6.7%). The primary objectives were to develop argumentation skills (16.2%), conceptual understanding (13.7%), and decision-making (11.1%). The frequently implemented learning models were problem-based (28.4%), case-based (24.7%), and inquiry-based learning (16.0%). The quantitative bibliometric analysis revealed the most SSI topics were COVID-19, antibiotic resistance, and obesity. The main objectives were to develop argumentation skills, regulate emotions, and decision-making. The frequently implemented learning models were problem-based, case-based and practice-based learning. Furthermore, exploratory studies on SSI learning within the health context for improving willingness to act, communication and motivation.