TRENDS AND PATTERNS IN RESEARCH ON MENTAL ARITHMETIC ABILITY: A BIBLIOMETRIC PERSPECTIVE IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Leiden Levita Sahensolar, Prof. Dr. Isma Widiaty, M.Pd

Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Mental arithmetic ability is a crucial foundation in the development of mathematical competence with broad implications for academic achievement. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research publications on mental arithmetic ability in educational psychology using 626 publications from the Scopus database (1942-2025) with three search strategies: ^arithmetic skills,^ ^mathematical arithmetic OR mental calculation,^ and ^mental arithmetic AND learning.^ The analysis shows exponential growth from 23 articles in the Early Era (1942-1979) to 222 articles in the Contemporary Era (2020-2025). The Digital and Contemporary Eras contributed 72.2% of total publications, with a predominance of journal articles (85.1%) and English-language publications (93.9%). The findings provide a baseline for future bibliometric studies and inform strategic planning for research funding and mathematics education curriculum development.

Keywords: Keywords: bibliometrics, mental arithmetic, educational psychology, mathematical cognition

Topic: Education for sustainable development