Leveraging Problem-Based Learning (PBL) to Cultivate Critical Thinking Skills in Graduate Education: A Framework for Advancing the Higher Education Ecosystem
Keywords:
Problem-Based Learning, Critical Thinking, Graduate Education
Abstract
The increasing complexity of global challenges demands that graduate education prioritise the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Problem-based learning (PBL) offers a promising pedagogical approach that facilitates deeper learning by engaging students in real-world problems that require analytical thinking and collaborative solutions. This paper explores the potential of PBL to foster critical thinking skills in graduate education, outlining its effectiveness in enhancing students' ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical contexts. The study examines the integration of PBL into higher education curricula as a means to not only improve cognitive abilities but also contribute to the advancement of the academic ecosystem. The paper presents a comprehensive framework for implementing PBL, addressing key strategies, benefits, and challenges associated with its adoption. It concludes with recommendations for educators and administrators to effectively incorporate PBL into graduate programs, ensuring that students are equipped with the critical skills necessary for navigating contemporary societal and professional challenges
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References
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Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
Wagner, M. (2010). The research process: A practical guide for the social sciences. Sage Publications.
Barrows, H. S., & Tamblyn, R. M. (1980). Problem-based learning: An approach to medical education. Springer Publishing Company.
Baxter, P., & Jack, S. (2020). Qualitative case study methodology: Study design and implementation for novice researchers. The Qualitative Report, 13(4), 544–559. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2020.3417
Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Wiley.
Bowen, G. A. (2020). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-04-2020-128
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. In Handbook of qualitative research in psychology (pp. 249–268). Sage.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. Sage Publications.
Bryman, A. (2022). Social research methods (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Brusilovsky, P., & Millán, E. (2007). User models for adaptive hypermedia and adaptive educational systems. In International Conference on Adaptive Hypermedia and Adaptive Web-Based Systems (pp. 3–10). Springer.
Buchbinder, S. B., & Nayar, P. K. (2016). Essentials of health policy and law (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Cohen, D., & Crabtree, B. (2021). Qualitative research guidelines project. Princeton University. http://www.qualres.org/
Cook, C. D., Lott, T., & Coles, R. D. (2000). Research ethics: A field of practice. Oxford University Press.
Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4th ed.). Pearson.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
Dillman, D. A., Smyth, J. D., & Christian, L. M. (2014). Internet, phone, mail, and mixed-mode surveys: The tailored design method (4th ed.). Wiley.
Faden, R. R., & Beauchamp, T. L. (1986). A history and theory of informed consent. Oxford University Press.
Fetters, M. D. (2020). Triangulation in mixed methods research: Progress, challenges, and future directions. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 14(4), 457–469. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689819899203
Flick, U. (2018). An introduction to qualitative research (6th ed.). Sage Publications.
Guest, G., Namey, E. E., & McKenna, K. (2020). How many interviews are enough? Field Methods, 31(3), 45–55. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X20908472
Hancock, D. R., Algozzine, B., & Rainer, J. M. (2023). Doing case study research: A practical guide (2nd ed.). Teachers College Press.
Harding, S. (1991). Whose science? Whose knowledge? Thinking from women's lives. Cornell University Press.
Hmelo-Silver, C. E. (2004). Problem-based learning: What and how do students learn? Educational Psychology Review, 16(3), 235–266. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:EDPR.0000034022.16470.f3
Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (1994). Learning together and alone: Cooperative, competitive, and individualistic learning (5th ed.). Allyn & Bacon.
Korstjens, I., & Moser, A. (2018). Series: Qualitative research. Part 4: Trustworthiness and publishing. European Journal of General Practice, 24(1), 1– 4. https://doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2017.1371001
Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2015). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Meyer, J. H. F., & Land, R. (Eds.). (2006). Overcoming barriers to student understanding: Threshold concepts and troublesome knowledge. Routledge.
Morgan, D. L. (2023). Focus groups as qualitative research (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., & Moules, N. J. (2017). Thematic analysis: Striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16(1), 1609406917733847. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917733847
O’Leary, K. D. (2017). Family violence. In C. L. Shehan (Ed.), The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of family studies (pp. xx–xx). Wiley. (Insert actual page range if available.)
Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2015). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 42(5), 533–544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Pellegrino, J. W., Chudowsky, N., & Glaser, R. (Eds.). (2001). Knowing what students know: The science and design of educational assessment. National Academy Press.
Piaget, J. (1973). To understand is to invent: The future of education. Grossman.
Saavedra, A. R., & Opfer, V. D. (2012). Teaching and learning 21st-century skills: Lessons from the learning sciences. International Academy of Education, 24(1), 1–14.
Schwandt, T. A. (2000). Dictionary of qualitative inquiry (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
Shamoo, A. E., & Resnik, D. B. (2015). Responsible conduct of research (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Sharma, M., Shilpa, M., & Bakshi, A. (2021). Transferability and trustworthiness in qualitative research. American Journal of Medical Science and Research, 8(3), 47–55. https://doi.org/10.18240/amjsr.2021.3.001
Thorne, S., Paterson, B. L., & Canam, C. (2016). Qualitative research in health care (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
Vaismoradi, M., Turunen, H., & Bondas, T. (2016). Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study. Nursing & Health Sciences, 15(3), 398–405. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12048
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
Wagner, M. (2010). The research process: A practical guide for the social sciences. Sage Publications.
Published
14 July, 2025
How to Cite
Lamaro, G., & Kimoga, J. (2025). Leveraging Problem-Based Learning (PBL) to Cultivate Critical Thinking Skills in Graduate Education: A Framework for Advancing the Higher Education Ecosystem. East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 8(2), 651-669. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajass.8.2.3317
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2025 Gloria Lamaro, Joseph Kimoga
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
