Learning in a problem-based medical curriculum: students' conceptions
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Updated: Oct 30, 2026

Project-Based Learning Guidelines for Health Sciences Students: An Analysis with Data Mining and Qualitative Techniques
Published on: December 9, 2022
J A Caplow1, J F Donaldson, C Kardash
1School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia 65211, USA.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine students' conception of their learning in a problem-based learning medical curriculum. A multiple case study design was used with two units of analyses: two PBL lab groups; and 15 individual students within each lab group. Data collected included weekly journals by students, video-tapes of PBL sessions, focus group interviews with students, two open-ended questionnaires completed by students, and interviews with the PBL tutors. Three thematic categories of students' conceptions of their learning emerged: (1) awareness of PBL goals and expectations; (2) efficiency and expertise; and (3) the role of the tutor.
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