A Systematic Literature Review on Trends in the Use of Science Experiments in Online Learning Environments

Experiments are considered to be essential components of science learning. This research aimed to investigate trends in the use of science experiments in online learning. A systematic literature review was carried out, with data sourced from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases. The reviewed docu...

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Main Authors: Mujib Ubaidillah, Putut Marwoto, Wiyanto Wiyanto, Bambang Subali, Arif Widiyatmoko, Adi Nur Cahyono
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Athabasca University Press 2025-08-01
Series:International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning
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Online Access:https://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/8221
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author Mujib Ubaidillah
Putut Marwoto
Wiyanto Wiyanto
Bambang Subali
Arif Widiyatmoko
Adi Nur Cahyono
author_facet Mujib Ubaidillah
Putut Marwoto
Wiyanto Wiyanto
Bambang Subali
Arif Widiyatmoko
Adi Nur Cahyono
author_sort Mujib Ubaidillah
collection DOAJ
description Experiments are considered to be essential components of science learning. This research aimed to investigate trends in the use of science experiments in online learning. A systematic literature review was carried out, with data sourced from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases. The reviewed documents were journal articles published between 2015 and 2022, with the keywords “science practicum,” “science experiments,” “distance learning,” “online learning,” and “hands-on science.” Using Harzing’s Publish or Perish software, 970 articles were found but only 32 were reviewed. The literature review followed a procedure adapted from the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA), with articles reviewed based on predetermined criteria such as the year of publication, article source, practicum topics, research subjects, assessment methods, technology, and experiment design in online learning. In the results, various designs for online learning models, the technology used in science experiments, topics addressed, and appropriate assessment methods were identified. Trends included the extensive use of interactive simulation models in online science experiments, the use of virtual laboratories as a crucial technology, and the use of experiment reports to assess students. The analysis showed a sharp increase in the number of publications since the pandemic (2020) and that online science experiments might be carried out effectively by considering the characteristics of the material, matching the science curriculum, and using assessments that fulfill the objectives of science experiments.
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spelling doaj-art-eb8a2874ff8f4cbabc3fe43b15ad73902025-08-20T04:03:25ZengAthabasca University PressInternational Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning1492-38312025-08-0126310.19173/irrodl.v26i3.8221A Systematic Literature Review on Trends in the Use of Science Experiments in Online Learning EnvironmentsMujib Ubaidillah0Putut Marwoto1Wiyanto Wiyanto2Bambang Subali3Arif Widiyatmoko4Adi Nur Cahyono5Doctoral Programme of Science Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia and Department of Biology Education, Universitas Islam Negeri Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, IndonesiaDoctoral Programme of Science Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Semarang, IndonesiaDoctoral Programme of Science Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Semarang, IndonesiaDoctoral Programme of Science Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Semarang, IndonesiaDoctoral Programme of Science Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Semarang, IndonesiaDepartment of Mathematics Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Semarang, IndonesiaExperiments are considered to be essential components of science learning. This research aimed to investigate trends in the use of science experiments in online learning. A systematic literature review was carried out, with data sourced from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases. The reviewed documents were journal articles published between 2015 and 2022, with the keywords “science practicum,” “science experiments,” “distance learning,” “online learning,” and “hands-on science.” Using Harzing’s Publish or Perish software, 970 articles were found but only 32 were reviewed. The literature review followed a procedure adapted from the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA), with articles reviewed based on predetermined criteria such as the year of publication, article source, practicum topics, research subjects, assessment methods, technology, and experiment design in online learning. In the results, various designs for online learning models, the technology used in science experiments, topics addressed, and appropriate assessment methods were identified. Trends included the extensive use of interactive simulation models in online science experiments, the use of virtual laboratories as a crucial technology, and the use of experiment reports to assess students. The analysis showed a sharp increase in the number of publications since the pandemic (2020) and that online science experiments might be carried out effectively by considering the characteristics of the material, matching the science curriculum, and using assessments that fulfill the objectives of science experiments. https://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/8221experiment reportonline learningscience experimentsimulationvirtual laboratory
spellingShingle Mujib Ubaidillah
Putut Marwoto
Wiyanto Wiyanto
Bambang Subali
Arif Widiyatmoko
Adi Nur Cahyono
A Systematic Literature Review on Trends in the Use of Science Experiments in Online Learning Environments
International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning
experiment report
online learning
science experiment
simulation
virtual laboratory
title A Systematic Literature Review on Trends in the Use of Science Experiments in Online Learning Environments
title_full A Systematic Literature Review on Trends in the Use of Science Experiments in Online Learning Environments
title_fullStr A Systematic Literature Review on Trends in the Use of Science Experiments in Online Learning Environments
title_full_unstemmed A Systematic Literature Review on Trends in the Use of Science Experiments in Online Learning Environments
title_short A Systematic Literature Review on Trends in the Use of Science Experiments in Online Learning Environments
title_sort systematic literature review on trends in the use of science experiments in online learning environments
topic experiment report
online learning
science experiment
simulation
virtual laboratory
url https://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/8221
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