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A comparison of student outcomes following problem-based learning instruction versus traditional lecture learning in
1University of Nevada at Las Vegas, USA. sally.miller@ccmail.nevada.edu
Purpose:
To determine if there would be a difference in students' performance and level of satisfaction when taught pharmacology in a problem-based learning format as compared to traditional lecture format.
Data Sources:
Control (n = 12) and experimental (n = 10) group means for middle-of-term examinations, final examinations, end-of-course numerical averages, and numerical scores of satisfaction were analyzed with a t test for statistically significant differences.
Conclusions:
There was no significant difference between groups for any of the items measured, suggesting that problem-based learning and traditional lecture format may be equally effective course delivery methods. Replication with a larger sample is recommended.
Implications:
The small sample size precludes generalizing results to the entire population, but outcomes of this pilot study suggest that problem-based learning may be at least as effective as traditional lecture and should be explored in larger studies.
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