Learning Difficulties in Biochemistry: Student Perspectives and Emerging Trends

Abstrak

Inggris

This study analyzes students’ learning difficulties in understanding biochemistry concepts, materials, and processes through a survey, and examines bibliometric patterns of biochemistry learning models and methods to identify potential alternative solutions. A descriptive research design was employed, combining survey methods and bibliometric analysis. The survey was conducted with 82 fourth-semester students of the Chemistry Study Program, including Class B (48 students) and Class E (34 students). Data were collected using an open-ended questionnaire and analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. In parallel, a bibliometric analysis of scientific articles on biochemistry learning difficulties was performed using VOSviewer software, identifying dominant sub-themes such as learning models, learning methods, and biochemistry education. The survey results indicate that students experience the greatest difficulties in protein biosynthesis (82%), lipid metabolism (55%), enzymes (53%), protein metabolism (50%), and carbohydrate metabolism (45%). These findings highlight challenges with metabolic pathways and molecular structures, emphasizing the need for visualization-based learning media. Additionally, the bibliometric analysis suggests that flipped classroom and blended learning approaches have strong potential as innovative strategies to address these difficulties. The study concludes with recommendations for future research focused on the development and evaluation of such approaches in biochemistry education.

Bahasa Indonesia

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kesulitan belajar mahasiswa dalam memahami materi dan proses pembelajaran biokimia melalui survei dan menganalisis bibliometrik model dan metode pembelajaran biokimia untuk memberikan alternatif solusi pada kesulitan dalam pembelajaran biokimia. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain deskriptif dengan metode survei dan analisis bibliometrik. Survei dilakukan terhadap 82 mahasiswa semester empat Prodi Kimia FMIPA UNY yaitu Kelas B (48 mahasiswa) dan Kelas E (38 mahasiswa). Instrumen menggunakan angket terbuka. Data dianalisis secara kualitatif deskriptif. Sementara itu, analisis bibliometrik dilakukan terhadap artikel-artikel ilmiah yang membahas kesulitan belajar biokimia menggunakan perangkat lunak VOSviewer untuk mengidentifikasi dan memberikan solusi inovatif pada kesulitan belajar biokimia. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa mahasiswa mengalami kesulitan utama pada pemahaman jalur metabolisme dan struktur molekul, serta membutuhkan media visualisasi untuk mendukung pembelajaran biokimia. Analisis bibliometrik terkait model dan metode pembelajaran biokimia mengungkapkan bahwa model flipped classroom dan metode blended learning dapat menjadi solusi inovatif dan efektif dalam mengatasi kesulitan belajar biokimia. Penelitian ini memberikan kontribusi terhadap alternatif model dan metode pembelajaran biokimia yang relevan dengan kebutuhan mahasiswa serta sejalan dengan tren literatur ilmiah terkini.

Kata kunci

• bibliometrics
• biochemistry learning difficulties
• blended learning
• flipped classroom
• surveys