Abstract: Special relativity，which sets the boundary between classical and modern physics，can deeply influence

students’understanding of the nature of the world. However，considerable students’misunderstanding related

to this topic has been identified by a numbers of empirical studies and through teaching practices. In this paper，a

systematic literature review is conducted on education research in special relativity. Students’common misunderstanding

and the corresponding reasoning on key concepts of special relativity reviewed and summarized. The implications

for future research and teaching are also discussed.

Key words: special relativity, reference frame, the relativity of simultaneity, causality