The role of teaching models in developing critical thinking skills: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of innovative teaching models on the development of critical thinking skills among Ecuadorian students, emphasizing the need for further research and development within Ecuador’s educational landscape. A two-phase bibliometric analysis was conducted. The first phase involved a global literature review on teaching models and critical thinking while the second phase focused on Ecuadorian publications. Data collection and analysis were performed using RStudio and VOSviewer following a systematic four-step process: defining search terms, selecting databases, downloading data and analyzing the results. The global analysis revealed a significant increase in publications since 2018 showing that intentional teaching strategies significantly enhance critical thinking skills. In Ecuador, research on this topic is still in its early stages, accounting for only 0.67% of global output. Although Ecuadorian studies indicate promising educational initiatives, they have not yet gained substantial recognition or citations within the academic community. Innovative teaching models play a crucial role in fostering critical thinking skills.  However, research in Ecuador remains underrepresented. Enhancing teacher training programs and incorporating advanced didactic methodologies is essential to improve the quality of education in Ecuador and prepare students to address future challenges.