logo logo European Journal of Educational Research

EU-JER is is a, peer reviewed, online academic research journal.

Subscribe to

Receive Email Alerts

for special events, calls for papers, and professional development opportunities.

Subscribe

Publisher (HQ)

Eurasian Society of Educational Research
Eurasian Society of Educational Research
7321 Parkway Drive South, Hanover, MD 21076, USA
Eurasian Society of Educational Research
Headquarters
7321 Parkway Drive South, Hanover, MD 21076, USA
academic achievement postgraduate students project based learning research methodology research proposal writing skills

Effects of Project-Based Learning on Postgraduate Students' Research Proposal Writing Skills

Mustafa Ali Khalaf , Abdulaziz Alshammari

Research is considered a vital component for propelling progress and development. This study aims to investigate the effects of problem-based learning.

R

Research is considered a vital component for propelling progress and development. This study aims to investigate the effects of problem-based learning (PBL) in the teaching of research methodology and statistics courses on improving research writing skills and enhancing course achievement. It also projects an action plan model for the effective implementation of PBL in the instructional aspect. The study utilised a positivist research paradigm based on action research design using the technique of content analysis. Employing a universal rubric, 45 proposals of graduate programme students enrolled in the College of Education at Minia University in North Upper Egypt were subjected to content analysis to rate students’ skills in writing research proposals before and after the delivery of the course. The students volunteered to participate in the study after they were given a synopsis of the aims and procedures. Students’ achievement was assessed through a test consisting of 90 items, developed primarily for this purpose at the end of the second semester in the academic year 2018–2019. The post-content analysis revealed a significant improvement in scientific research skills, with a considerable difference between the pre- and post-achievement scores. It is imperative to consider the feasibility of using the PBL approach in teaching research methodology and statistics courses for graduate students. The study recommended the adoption of PBL in undergraduate programmes as well as in high school education.

Keywords: Academic achievement, postgraduate students, project-based learning, research methodology, research proposal writing skills.

cloud_download PDF
Cite
Article Metrics
Views
396
Download
443
Citations
Crossref
3

Scopus
4

References

Abu-Setta, A., & Al-Ashiq, W. (2007). Scientific research skills of medicine college students in Al-Fateh University: The actual reality and the future. The University Journal, 13, 75 – 90.

Akçöltekin, A. (2016). Investigation of the effect of training on the development of high school teachers' attitudes towards scientific research and project competitions. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice16(4), 1349-1380.  https://doi.org/10.12738/estp.2016.4.0334

Akınoğlu, O., & Tandoğan, R. Ö. (2007). The effects of problem-based active learning in science education on students’ academic achievement, attitude and concept learning. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 3(1), 71-81. https://doi.org/10.12973/ejmste/75375

Amalya, C. P., Artika, W., Safrida, S., Nurmaliah, C., Muhibbuddin, M., & Syukri, M. (2021). Implementation of the problem base learning model combined with e-STEM based student worksheets on learning outcomes and self-efficacy on environmental pollution materials. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 7(Special Issue), 37–38. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v7iSpecialIssue.962

Bell, S. (2010). Project-based learning for the 21st century: Skills for the future. The clearing House, 83, 39-43 https://doi.org/10.1080/00098650903505415

Boaler, J. (1999). Mathematics for the moment or the millennium? Education Week, 17(29), 30-34

Brownell, J., & Jameson, D. A. (2004). Problem-based learning in graduate management education: An integrative model and interdisciplinary application. Journal of Management Education. 28(5), 558-577. https://doi.org/10.1177/1052562904266073

Brydon-Miller, M., Prudente, M., & Aguja, S. (2017). Educational action research as transformative practice.  In D. Wyse, N. Selwyn, E. Smith, & L. E. Sutler (Eds.), The BERA/SAGE handbook of educational research (p. 34). SAGE Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781473983953.n22

Burris, S., & Garton, B. L. (2007). Effect of instructional strategy on critical thinking and content knowledge: Using problem-based learning in the secondary classroom. Journal of Agricultural Education 48(1), 106-116. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2007.01106

 Cavanagh, A., Vanstone, M., & Ritz, S. (2019). Problems of problem-based learning: Towards transformative critical pedagogy in medical education. Perspectives on Medical Education, 8, 38–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-018-0489-7

Distlehorst, L. H., Dawson, B. K., & Klamen, D. L. (2009). Supervisor and self-ratings of graduates from a medical school with a problem-based learning and standard curriculum track. Teaching and Learning in Medicine: An International Journal, 21(4), 291-198. https://doi.org/10.1080/10401330903228364

Grigonis, D. F., McCroskey, R., & Lankford, B. (1970). Development and Evaluation of Programmed Instruction in the Teaching of Verbs to Deaf Children in the Primary Grades. Final Report, Office of Education, Washington, D.C. Bureau of Research.

Hackett, E. J., & Rhoten, D. R. (2009). The snowbird charrette: Integrative interdisciplinary collaboration in environmental research design. Minerva, 47, 407–440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11024-009-9136-0

Hallinger, P., & Bridges, E. M. (2007). Problem-based approach for management education: Preparing managers for action. Springer.

Hallinger, P., & Lu, J. (2011). Assessing the instructional effectiveness of problem-based management education in Thailand: A longitudinal evaluation. Management Learning, 42(3), 279–299. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350507610388596

Inocian, R. B. (2015). Quadrant modelling in teaching (QMT): Responding to RA 10533 salient provisions. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, Arts and Sciences, 2(4), 71-78. https://cutt.ly/d1Zp7S3

Inocian, R. B. (2018). Aesthetic teaching pedagogies: A Voice of experience. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Inocian, R. B., Dapat, L. C., Pacaña, G. M., & Lasala, G. M. (2019). Indigenizing and contextualizing the use of cooperative learning strategies. Journal of Research, Policy & Practice of Teachers and Teacher Education, 9(2), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.37134/jrpptte.vol9.no2.1.2019

Jørgensen, K. M., & Boje, D. M. (2020). Storytelling sustainability in problem-based learning. In V. T. Romeo & E. R. John (Eds.), Populism and higher education curriculum development: Problem based learning as a mitigating response (pp. 369-391). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47376-1_15

Khalaf, M. (2018). Measuring and developing educational and psychological research proposal writing skills in a sample of the college of education postgraduate students. Educational Sciences, 26(4), 85-118.

Khalaf, M. (2019). The role of research methodology course in college of education students' acquisition of research writing skills: The reality and ideal. Journal of Education, Sohag University. 66, 1-56. https://doi.org/10.21608/EDUSOHAG.2019.47187

Khalaf, M. A. (2014). Validity and reliability of the academic resilience scale in Egyptian context, US-China Education Review B, 4(3), 202–210. 

Khalaf, M. A. (2016). Confirmatory Factor Analysis of English Learning Anxiety Scale (ELLAS) in the Egyptian Context, International Educational E-Journal, 5(2), 1-11.

Khalaf, M. A. (2017). English Language Anxiety: Development and Validation of a Brief Measure, International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 4(2), 42-53. https://doi.org/10.17220/ijpes.2017.02.005

Khalaf, M. A. (2020). Psychological consequences of COVID-19 and challenges for post-traumatic interventions. Psychology Research, 10(1), 24-29.

Khalaf, M. A., & Abulela, M. A. (2021). The academic buoyancy scale: Measurement invariance across culture and gender in Egyptian and Omani undergraduates. European Journal of Educational Research, 10(4), 2121-2131. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.10.4.2121

Khalaf, M. A., & Al-Said, T. T. (2021). The Egyptian validation study of the resilience scale for adults (RSA) and its utility in predicting depression. The Open Psychology Journal, 14, 83-92.   https://doi.org/10.2174/1874350102114010083

Khalaf, M. A., & Omara, E. M. N. (2022). Rasch analysis and differential item functioning of English language anxiety scale (ELAS) across sex in Egyptian context. BMC Psychology10(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00955-w

Krippendorff, C. (2019). Content analysis: An introduction to methodology. SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071878781

Lam, D. O. B. (2009). Impact of problem-based learning on social work students: Growth and limits, The British Journal of Social Work, 39(8), 1499–1517, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcn073

Lee, N. H., Lee, J., & Wong, Z. Y. (2021). Preparing students for the fourth industrial revolution through mathematical learning: The constructivist learning design. Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics31(3), 321-356. https://doi.org/10.29275/jerm.2021.31.3.321

Musa, F., Mufti, N. R., Abdullatif, F. R., & Amin, M. (2011). Project-based learning: Promoting meaningful language learning for workplace skills. Procedia Social & Behavioral Sciences, 18, 187-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.05.027

Parker, J. (2010). Undergraduate research-methods training in political science: A comparative perspective. PS: Political Science & Politics, 43(1), 121-125. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049096509990679

Pflaum, S., & Bishop, P. (2004). Student perception of reading engagement: Learning from the learners. Journal of Adolescent Adult Literacy, 48, 202-213. https://doi.org/10.1598/JAAL.48.3.2

Ramli, F., Ayob, A. F. M., Zulanidi, H., Salim, N. R., & Gopal, K. (2020). Impact of problem-based learning strategy on students' mathematical value among secondary school students. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(8), 3295-3302. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.080801

Schneider, B., Krajcik, J., Lavonen, J., Salmela-Aro, K., Klager, C., Bradford, L., Chen, I.-C., Baker, Q., Touitou, I., Peek-Brown, D., Dezendorf, R. M., Maestrales, S., & Bartz, K. (2022). Improving science achievement—is it possible? Evaluating the efficacy of a high school chemistry and physics project-based learning intervention. Educational Researcher51(2), 109–121. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X211067742

Sungur, S., & Tekkaya, C. (2006). Effects of problem-based learning and traditional instruction on self-regulated learning. The Journal of Educational Research, 99(5), 307-320, https://doi.org/10.3200/JOER.99.5.307-320

Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach's alpha. International journal of medical education2, 53-55. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd

Timmerman, B., Feldon, D., Maher, M., Strickland, D., & Gilnore, J. (2013). Performance-based assessment of graduate students’ research skills: Timing, trajectory, and potential thresholds. Studies in Higher Education, 38(5), 693- 710. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2011.590971

Tiwari, R., Arya, R., & Bansal, M. (2017). Motivating students for project-based learning for application of research methodology skills. International Journal of Applied & Basic Medical Research, 7, 4-7. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijabmr.IJABMR_123_17

Ungaretti, T., Thompson, K. R., Miller, A., & Peterson, T. O. (2015). Problem-based learning: Lessons from medical education and challenges for management education. Academy of Management Learning & Education14(2), 173-186. https://doi.org/10.5465/amle.2013.0245

Wijnia, L., Loyens, S. M., & Derous, E. (2011). Investigating effects of problem-based versus lecture-based learning environments on student motivation, Contemporary Educational Psychology, 36(2), 101-113, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2010.11.003

Wurdinger, S., Haar, J., Hugg, R., & Bezon, J. (2007). Project-based learning in a mainstream middle school. Improving Schools, 10, 150-156

Zhou, Q. (2021). Development of creative thinking skills through aesthetic creativity in middle school educational music course. Thinking Skills and Creativity 40, Article 100825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2021.100825

...