Background of the Study
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an instructional strategy that encourages students to learn through the active resolution of real-world problems. PBL has been shown to foster critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative learning, all of which are essential skills for nursing students. In nursing education, critical thinking is fundamental for making clinical decisions, solving complex patient care problems, and applying evidence-based practices (Olawole et al., 2024).
At Federal University, Dutse, PBL has been integrated into the nursing curriculum as a means of promoting active learning and enhancing critical thinking skills. This approach presents students with clinical scenarios or case studies and challenges them to investigate, analyze, and propose solutions collaboratively. Research has shown that PBL enhances students' cognitive skills, fosters deeper learning, and prepares them for real-world clinical situations (Adegbite & Alabi, 2023). However, there is limited research on the specific role of PBL in developing critical thinking skills among nursing students at Federal University, Dutse.
Statement of the Problem
While PBL is widely recognized as an effective teaching strategy, the specific impact of PBL on critical thinking development among nursing students at Federal University, Dutse has not been thoroughly examined. Understanding how PBL influences nursing students’ critical thinking skills will provide valuable insights into how teaching strategies can be tailored to enhance students' preparedness for clinical decision-making and problem-solving.
Objectives of the Study
1. To examine the role of problem-based learning in enhancing critical thinking skills among nursing students at Federal University, Dutse.
2. To assess the impact of PBL on nursing students' ability to apply critical thinking in clinical settings.
3. To explore students' perceptions of problem-based learning as an educational tool for developing critical thinking skills.
Research Questions
1. How does problem-based learning enhance critical thinking skills among nursing students at Federal University, Dutse?
2. How does PBL affect nursing students' ability to apply critical thinking in clinical practice?
3. What are nursing students' perceptions of problem-based learning in developing their critical thinking skills?
Research Hypotheses
1. Problem-based learning enhances critical thinking skills among nursing students at Federal University, Dutse.
2. Nursing students who engage in PBL demonstrate better application of critical thinking in clinical practice.
3. Nursing students have positive perceptions of PBL as a tool for developing critical thinking skills.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study will focus on the role of problem-based learning in developing critical thinking skills among nursing students at Federal University, Dutse. The study will not examine other teaching methods or external factors influencing critical thinking development. Findings may not be generalizable to other institutions or nursing programs.
Definitions of Terms
• Problem-Based Learning (PBL): A student-centered approach to education where learners work in groups to solve real-world problems, promoting critical thinking and collaborative learning.
• Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze, evaluate, and apply information to make reasoned decisions and solve problems.
• Nursing Students: Individuals enrolled in the nursing program at Federal University, Dutse.
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