A meta-analysis to explore the role of design thinking in enhancing creativity as learning outcomes in STEM education

<p dir="ltr">This paper systematically reviews informal Design Thinking (DT) models in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics STEM education and performs a meta-analysis to assess their impact on students' creativity. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic...

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Main Author: Sumaiya Muneer (22827419) (author)
Other Authors: Malavika Santhosh (17714346) (author), Hemalatha Parangusan (6556133) (author), Jolly Bhadra (14147823) (author)
Published: 2025
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author Sumaiya Muneer (22827419)
author2 Malavika Santhosh (17714346)
Hemalatha Parangusan (6556133)
Jolly Bhadra (14147823)
author2_role author
author
author
author_facet Sumaiya Muneer (22827419)
Malavika Santhosh (17714346)
Hemalatha Parangusan (6556133)
Jolly Bhadra (14147823)
author_role author
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Sumaiya Muneer (22827419)
Malavika Santhosh (17714346)
Hemalatha Parangusan (6556133)
Jolly Bhadra (14147823)
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2025-07-12T09:00:00Z
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv 10.1007/s10798-025-10005-2
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/A_meta-analysis_to_explore_the_role_of_design_thinking_in_enhancing_creativity_as_learning_outcomes_in_STEM_education/30859835
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv CC BY 4.0
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Education
Curriculum and pedagogy
Education systems
Information and computing sciences
Human-centred computing
Design Thinking
STEM Education
K-12 Education
Creativity
Informal
Meta-Analysis
Moderator variables
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv A meta-analysis to explore the role of design thinking in enhancing creativity as learning outcomes in STEM education
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv Text
Journal contribution
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
text
contribution to journal
description <p dir="ltr">This paper systematically reviews informal Design Thinking (DT) models in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics STEM education and performs a meta-analysis to assess their impact on students' creativity. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, data sources include eighteen peer-reviewed research papers from 11 countries, representing more than 1,600 students. The meta-analysis, using a random-effects model, assessed the effect size (ES) of informal DT in enhancing creativity in STEM education and revealed a significant improvement compared to traditional classroom education (<i>d</i> = 0.876, <i>p</i>< 0.001). This study found that several moderator variables influenced the impact of informal DT on students’ creativity, including teaching methodology, assessment methods, subject area, student group size, course duration, and grade level. Moderator analysis revealed that the combination of direct and indirect assessment (<i>d</i> = 1.163, <i>p</i> = 0.010) and triangulation assessment methods (<i>d</i> = 1.009, <i>p</i> < 0.001) had the highest effect size and significance. Student study sizes of 30 or more (<i>d</i> = 1.143, <i>p</i> < 0.001) were most effective, and informal DT employed for the subject areas like STEM (<i>d</i> = 1.165, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and science/math (<i>d</i> = 0.988, <i>p</i> < 0.001) exhibited the greatest creativity improvements. However, the study location of the students was not a significant moderator. This study provides valuable insights into existing literature. It aids academicians in designing, developing, and implementing successful STEM-based informal DT models in STEM education, and aids educators in developing innovative approaches to enhance creativity.</p><h2>Other Information</h2><p dir="ltr">Published in: International Journal of Technology and Design Education<br>License: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0" target="_blank">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10798-025-10005-2" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10798-025-10005-2</a></p>
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
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identifier_str_mv 10.1007/s10798-025-10005-2
network_acronym_str Manara2
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oai_identifier_str oai:figshare.com:article/30859835
publishDate 2025
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rights_invalid_str_mv CC BY 4.0
spelling A meta-analysis to explore the role of design thinking in enhancing creativity as learning outcomes in STEM educationSumaiya Muneer (22827419)Malavika Santhosh (17714346)Hemalatha Parangusan (6556133)Jolly Bhadra (14147823)EducationCurriculum and pedagogyEducation systemsInformation and computing sciencesHuman-centred computingDesign ThinkingSTEM EducationK-12 EducationCreativityInformalMeta-AnalysisModerator variables<p dir="ltr">This paper systematically reviews informal Design Thinking (DT) models in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics STEM education and performs a meta-analysis to assess their impact on students' creativity. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, data sources include eighteen peer-reviewed research papers from 11 countries, representing more than 1,600 students. The meta-analysis, using a random-effects model, assessed the effect size (ES) of informal DT in enhancing creativity in STEM education and revealed a significant improvement compared to traditional classroom education (<i>d</i> = 0.876, <i>p</i>< 0.001). This study found that several moderator variables influenced the impact of informal DT on students’ creativity, including teaching methodology, assessment methods, subject area, student group size, course duration, and grade level. Moderator analysis revealed that the combination of direct and indirect assessment (<i>d</i> = 1.163, <i>p</i> = 0.010) and triangulation assessment methods (<i>d</i> = 1.009, <i>p</i> < 0.001) had the highest effect size and significance. Student study sizes of 30 or more (<i>d</i> = 1.143, <i>p</i> < 0.001) were most effective, and informal DT employed for the subject areas like STEM (<i>d</i> = 1.165, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and science/math (<i>d</i> = 0.988, <i>p</i> < 0.001) exhibited the greatest creativity improvements. However, the study location of the students was not a significant moderator. This study provides valuable insights into existing literature. It aids academicians in designing, developing, and implementing successful STEM-based informal DT models in STEM education, and aids educators in developing innovative approaches to enhance creativity.</p><h2>Other Information</h2><p dir="ltr">Published in: International Journal of Technology and Design Education<br>License: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0" target="_blank">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10798-025-10005-2" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10798-025-10005-2</a></p>2025-07-12T09:00:00ZTextJournal contributioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersiontextcontribution to journal10.1007/s10798-025-10005-2https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/A_meta-analysis_to_explore_the_role_of_design_thinking_in_enhancing_creativity_as_learning_outcomes_in_STEM_education/30859835CC BY 4.0info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessoai:figshare.com:article/308598352025-07-12T09:00:00Z
spellingShingle A meta-analysis to explore the role of design thinking in enhancing creativity as learning outcomes in STEM education
Sumaiya Muneer (22827419)
Education
Curriculum and pedagogy
Education systems
Information and computing sciences
Human-centred computing
Design Thinking
STEM Education
K-12 Education
Creativity
Informal
Meta-Analysis
Moderator variables
status_str publishedVersion
title A meta-analysis to explore the role of design thinking in enhancing creativity as learning outcomes in STEM education
title_full A meta-analysis to explore the role of design thinking in enhancing creativity as learning outcomes in STEM education
title_fullStr A meta-analysis to explore the role of design thinking in enhancing creativity as learning outcomes in STEM education
title_full_unstemmed A meta-analysis to explore the role of design thinking in enhancing creativity as learning outcomes in STEM education
title_short A meta-analysis to explore the role of design thinking in enhancing creativity as learning outcomes in STEM education
title_sort A meta-analysis to explore the role of design thinking in enhancing creativity as learning outcomes in STEM education
topic Education
Curriculum and pedagogy
Education systems
Information and computing sciences
Human-centred computing
Design Thinking
STEM Education
K-12 Education
Creativity
Informal
Meta-Analysis
Moderator variables