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Trends in K-12 Science Education Research on Students' Interest, Motivation and Attitude towards Science and Technology: A Systematic, Reproductive and Comparative Review of 12 More Years (2013-2024)

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Title: Trends in K-12 Science Education Research on Students' Interest, Motivation and Attitude towards Science and Technology: A Systematic, Reproductive and Comparative Review of 12 More Years (2013-2024)
Language: English
Authors: Patrice Potvin (ORCID 0000-0002-1623-2362), Maude Lefebvre (ORCID 0009-0009-5495-4196), Nathan Houle (ORCID 0009-0002-3206-4263), Abdelkrim Hasni (ORCID 0000-0002-1432-5717), Emmanuel Ahr (ORCID 0000-0003-0138-5574)
Source: Review of Education. 2026 14(1).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 48
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Educational Trends, Elementary Secondary Education, Science Education, Educational Research, Student Interests, Science Interests, Learning Motivation, Student Attitudes, Scientific Attitudes, Technology, Research Methodology, Structural Equation Models, Informal Education, Inquiry
DOI: 10.1002/rev3.70133
ISSN: 2049-6613
Abstract: This study presents a systematic, reproductive and comparative review of research on students' interest, motivation and attitude (I/M/A) towards science and technology (S&T) at K-12 levels, covering the period 2013-2024. As a follow-up to a previous systematic review (2000-2012), it describes and synthesizes findings from 170 peer-reviewed articles indexed in ERIC, applying the same methodology to ensure comparability. The review examines the geographical origins of studies, theoretical constructs, measurement instruments and reported correlational and causal relationships that predict I/M/A. Findings indicate an increase in methodological rigour, diversification of theoretical frameworks and a broader geographic representation of recent studies. However, persistent challenges remain, including the fragmentation of conceptual constructs and limited consensus on effective interventions to enhance I/M/A. The analysis also highlights trends such as the rise of structural equation modelling, the growing role of informal learning settings and the emphasis on contextualized and enquiry-based interventions. While research efforts have multiplied, future studies may benefit from adopting more unified frameworks to enable cumulative knowledge building. This review informs future research directions and educational policies aimed at fostering sustained student engagement in science and technology.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1504228
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Trends in K-12 Science Education Research on Students' Interest, Motivation and Attitude towards Science and Technology: A Systematic, Reproductive and Comparative Review of 12 More Years (2013-2024)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Patrice+Potvin%22">Patrice Potvin</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1623-2362">0000-0002-1623-2362</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Maude+Lefebvre%22">Maude Lefebvre</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5495-4196">0009-0009-5495-4196</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nathan+Houle%22">Nathan Houle</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3206-4263">0009-0002-3206-4263</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Abdelkrim+Hasni%22">Abdelkrim Hasni</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1432-5717">0000-0002-1432-5717</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Emmanuel+Ahr%22">Emmanuel Ahr</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0138-5574">0000-0003-0138-5574</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Review+of+Education%22"><i>Review of Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 14(1).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 48
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  Data: 10.1002/rev3.70133
– Name: ISSN
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  Data: 2049-6613
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study presents a systematic, reproductive and comparative review of research on students' interest, motivation and attitude (I/M/A) towards science and technology (S&T) at K-12 levels, covering the period 2013-2024. As a follow-up to a previous systematic review (2000-2012), it describes and synthesizes findings from 170 peer-reviewed articles indexed in ERIC, applying the same methodology to ensure comparability. The review examines the geographical origins of studies, theoretical constructs, measurement instruments and reported correlational and causal relationships that predict I/M/A. Findings indicate an increase in methodological rigour, diversification of theoretical frameworks and a broader geographic representation of recent studies. However, persistent challenges remain, including the fragmentation of conceptual constructs and limited consensus on effective interventions to enhance I/M/A. The analysis also highlights trends such as the rise of structural equation modelling, the growing role of informal learning settings and the emphasis on contextualized and enquiry-based interventions. While research efforts have multiplied, future studies may benefit from adopting more unified frameworks to enable cumulative knowledge building. This review informs future research directions and educational policies aimed at fostering sustained student engagement in science and technology.
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  Data: EJ1504228
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        Value: 10.1002/rev3.70133
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 48
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Educational Trends
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary Secondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Science Education
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Research
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      – SubjectFull: Student Interests
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      – SubjectFull: Science Interests
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      – SubjectFull: Learning Motivation
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Scientific Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Technology
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      – SubjectFull: Research Methodology
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      – SubjectFull: Structural Equation Models
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      – SubjectFull: Informal Education
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      – SubjectFull: Inquiry
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      – TitleFull: Trends in K-12 Science Education Research on Students' Interest, Motivation and Attitude towards Science and Technology: A Systematic, Reproductive and Comparative Review of 12 More Years (2013-2024)
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