A Systematic Review of Complex Problem-Solving in Education and Mathematics Education

Abstract

We conducted a systematic literature review searching for articles discussing complex problem-solving (CPS) in education. We used keywords such as “complex problem solving,” “education,” and “mathematics” to search for articles in Harzing’s Publish or Perish Scopus source. The findings revealed 44 articles published between 2013 and 2022. The majority of these articles were from Germany, and most focused on assessing and measuring CPS. Research topics included the process of cognition, metacognition, working memory, intelligence, motivation, CPS ability, and intention. Although CPS is closely related to the abilities needed for learning mathematics, there is currently limited research on complex problem-solving in education.