Project-based Learning to Enhance Higher-Order Thinking Skills: A Bibliometric Analysis for 21st-Century Education

The pedagogical approach that is considered effective in developing Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) is Project-Based Learning (PjBL). There is still a limited number of bibliometric analysis studies that specifically focus on the relevance of PjBL in the development of HOTs. This research aims to analyze bibliometrically the research development related to implementing PjBL to improve HOTS. Data were obtained from the Scopus database from 2015 to 2025, and analyzed using bibliometric analysis with the Vosviewer software. Results show a significant rise in publications related to PjBL and HOTS over the past decade, with Indonesia and other Asian countries contributing the most. Influential authors were identified through co-citation and bibliographic coupling, while collaboration patterns revealed predominantly local networks, indicating a need for stronger international partnerships. Keyword analysis highlights research emphasis on critical thinking development, technology integration in education, and innovative assessment methods. The findings have practical implications for strengthening educational policies, teacher training on PjBL, and curriculum design aligned with 21st-century competencies. The report recommends further exploration of the practice of implementing PjBL contextually and comprehensively in various learning environments.