Analysis of Research Trends in Problem-based Learning in Domestic Elementary Education

Purpose: To comprehensively analyze research trends on Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in Korean elementary education through keyword network analysis. Method: Analyzed 825 keywords from 165 academic papers and dissertations published between 1998 and 2025 using frequency, periodic, centrality, and cluster analysis. Results: Core keywords included ‘creativity’, ‘academic achievement’ and ‘self-directed learning’. The research focus shifted over time from constructivism toward AI and computational thinking. The network formed two clusters— ‘learning outcomes’ and ‘teaching methods’—with a majority of studies (76.4%) focusing on practical application rather than critical inquiry. Conclusion: Research on PBL in Korean elementary education has prioritized practical application over theoretical exploration, tending to follow rather than lead policy changes. Future studies require a more critical approach and conceptual expansion based on diverse and international perspectives.