Differential effects of subject‐based and integrated curriculum approaches on students' learning outcomes: A review of reviews

Abstract

There is no general agreement about the best way of organising the curriculum. Debates often pitch a subject‐based curriculum against an integrated curriculum although there is great variation among integrated approaches. Numerous claims have been made regarding the comparative merits of different approaches, but many scholars have noted the lack of a strong evidence base to support these. This article reports a review of reviews to examine how the learning outcomes of students following more subject‐based or more integrated curriculum approaches compare based on empirical research that uses control groups. The literature from 1990 to mid‐2022 was systematically searched. A final sample of nine reviews was included and critically appraised using the AMSTAR 2. The evaluation found that all reviews were of critically low quality. Within the reviews, relatively few primary studies concerned the primary school or secondary school level and had control groups. There was variation in outcomes reported between studies, but these tended to either find positive effects of integrated approaches or no differences between groups. Very few primary studies found detrimental effects of interventions involving integrated approaches. Various methodological issues as well as complexities of integration need to be considered when interpreting the findings. Overall, we conclude that based on the limitations of the current evidence, neither strictly subject‐based nor more integrated approaches can be regarded as superior for students' learning outcomes. Implications for theory, research and practice are discussed.Context and implicationsRationale for this studyThere is a need for understanding the current evidence for comparative effects of subject‐based and integrated curriculum approaches on students' learning experiences and outcomes.Why the new findings matterThe findings can inform the long‐lasting, international debates regarding the best ways of structuring the curriculum.Implications for practitioners, curriculum designers and researchersThis review of reviews demonstrates that it is crucial for all stakeholders to move away from the false dichotomy of ‘subjects’ versus ‘integration’ and to recognise the various ways in which subjects can be integrated. Based on the reviewed evidence, neither strictly subject‐based nor integrated approaches are superior for students' learning. A well‐implemented approach drawing on the best of both worlds is likely required in practice, but more research is needed to explore this. The findings can inform researchers about what studies are needed to move the debate forward, including studies that use adequate control groups and consider affective outcomes.