Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) in STEM Higher Education: Global Trends, Benefits, and Prospects for Indonesian Physics Education

Abstract

Course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) is widely recognized as a
transformative approach to advancing STEM education. However, their integration into
physics, especially in Indonesian higher education, remains limited. This article presents a
comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 500 Scopus-indexed CURE publications from 2015 to
2025. The analysis conducted with Excel for data filtering and visualizing with VOSviewer
highlights trends, disciplinary disparities, and the unique potential of CUREs in physics. The
study identifies critical challenges and opportunities in adopting CUREs in physics labs and
curricula and draws comparisons with more established fields, such as the life sciences and
chemistry. To contextualize the global findings from bibliometrics analysis, a quantitative
survey with Likert scale scoring and open-ended questions was conducted with second-year
physics education students at Universitas Sebelas Maret. The survey result reveals their strong
enthusiasm and readiness for authentic, research-based learning, underscoring the relevance of
integrating CUREs into Indonesia's STEM curriculum and educational priorities. The
findings articulate the key benefits of CUREs, including enhancement of scientific identity,
critical thinking, and research skills, while also outlining practical implementation strategies,
such as curriculum design, faculty preparation, and scalable, low-cost research experiences.
This article advocates for broader CURE adoption in Indonesian physics education to prepare
students for the evolving demands of the modern workforce.