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Visible Learning™
Visible Learning MetaX™
Version 1.4 – Updated February 2026

Problem-based learning

Overview

  • Influence: Problem-based learning
  • Domain: Teaching Strategies
  • Sub-Domain: Instructional strategies
  • Potential to Accelerate Student Achievement: Potential to accelerate
  • Influence Definition: In problem-based learning scenarios, students (often in groups) decide what they need to learn to resolve a particular problem or questions. The aim is also to promote critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills

Evidence

  • Number of meta-analyses: 31
  • Number of studies: 1,059
  • Number of students: 103,700
  • Number of effects: 1,520
  • Weighted mean effect size: 0.53
  • Robustness index: 5

Meta-Analyses

Meta-Analyses
Journal Title Author Article Name Year Published Variable Number of Studies Number of Students Number of Effects Effect Size
Academic Medicine Albanese & Mitchell Problem-based learning: A review of literature on its outcomes and implementation issues 1993 PBL in medicine 11 2,208 66 0.27
Academic Medicine Vernon & Blake Does problem-based learning work? A meta-analysis of evaluative research 1993 PBL in college level 8 NA 28 -0.18
Learning and Instruction Dochy, Segers, Van den Bossche & Gijbels Effects of problem-based learning: A meta-analysis 2003 PBL on knowledge and skills 43 21,365 35 0.12
Dissertation Smith Problem-based versus lecture-based medical teaching and learning: a meta-analysis of cognitive and noncognitive outcomes 2003 PBL in medicine 82 12,979 121 0.31
Report Newman Problem-based learning: an exploration of the method and evaluation of its effectiveness in a continuing nursing education programme 2004 PBL in medicine 12 NA 12 -0.30
NASSP Bulletin Haas Teaching methods for secondary algebra: a meta-analysis of findings 2005 PBL in algebra 7 1,538 14 0.52
Review of Educational Research Gijbels, Dochy, Van den Bossche & Segers Effects of problem-based learning: a meta-analysis from the angle of assessment 2005 PBL on assessment outcomes 40 NA 49 0.32
The Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning Walker & Leary A problem based learning meta analysis: Differences across problem types, implementation types, disciplines, and assessment levels. 2009 PBL across disciplines 82 NA 201 0.13
Egitim ve Bilim Dagyar & Demirel Effects of problem-based learning on academic achievement: A meta-analysis study 2015 PBL 98 NA 98 0.76
Conference paper Jiang, Monteau, & Zhao A Meta-analysis of the Effectiveness of the Problem-based Learning in College STEM Education Compared to Lecture based Learning. 2013 PBL 38 NA 87 0.32
Review of Educational Research Chen & Yang Revisiting the effects of project-based learning on students' academic achievement: A meta-analysis investigating moderators. 2019 PBL 30 12,585 30 0.71
Dissertation Jensen A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Problem- and Project-based Learning on Academic Achievement in Grades 6-12 Populations . 2015 PBL 34 9,998 34 0.59
Journal of Statistics Education Kalaian & Kasim Effectiveness of Various Innovative Learning Methods in Health Science Classrooms: A Meta-Analysis 2014 PBL 14 NA 16 0.29
Advances in medical education and practice Sayyah, Shirbandi & Rahim Use of a problem-based learning teaching model for undergraduate medical and nursing education: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2017 PBL 21 NA 21 0.80
BMC medical education Zhou, Zhou, Huang, Zhang, Zeng, and Qian Effectiveness of problem-based learning in Chinese pharmacy education: a meta-analysis. 2016 PBL in Chinese clinical training 13 913 13 0.06
International Education Studies Rosli, Capraro, & Capraro The Effects of Problem Posing on Student Mathematical Learning: A Meta-Analysis 2014 PBL 13 NA 14 0.88
Educational Psychologist Schmidt, Van der Molen, Te Winkel, & Wijnen Constructivist, problem-based learning does work: A meta-analysis of curricular comparisons involving a single medical school 2009 Constructivist problem based learning on medical knowledge 10 NA 90 0.07
Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning Leary, Walker, Shelton & Fitt Exploring the Relationships Between Tutor Background, Tutor Training, and Student Learning: A Problem-based Learning Meta-Analysis. 2013 PBL 94 34,689 213 0.24
The Journal of Educational Studies Hong A meta-analysis on the effects of problem-based learning 2008 PBL 85 NA 49 0.69
Advances in Health Science Education Dolmans, Loyens, Marcq, & Gijbels Deep and surface learning in problem-based learning: A review of the literature. 2016 PBL on surface and dep outcomes 21 NA 17 0.09
International Journal of Instruction Funa & Prudente Effectiveness of problem-based learning on secondary students' achievement in science: A meta-analysis. 2021 PBL 11 1,422 11 0.87
Journal of the Institute for Educational Research Stojadinovic, Ristanovic, & Komnenovic Effects of project-based learning on academic achievement: A meta-analysis. 2021 PBL 18 2,518 18 0.39
Journal of Physics: Conference Series Aisyah & Usdiyana A meta analysis study: is Problem Based Learning (PBL) effective toward students' mathematical connections ability?. 2022 PBL 8 NA 8 0.80
Research on Education and Psychology Alacapinar & Mustafa Meta-analysis covering studies on problem-based learning. R 2020 PBL 25 NA 32 1.23
Journal of Physics: Conference Series Juandi & Tamur Review of problem-based learning trends in 2010-2020: A meta-analysis study of the effect of problem-based learning in enhancing mathematical problem-solving skills of Indonesian students. 2021 PBL 50 NA 50 0.82
International Journal of Economy, Education and Entrepreneuship Novitasri, Restuningdiah, & Utami A meta-analysis on the effects of problem-based learning in accounting learning. 2022 PBL 24 NA 24 0.70
Dissertation Brice An Examination of Problem-Based Learning and Its Impact on Medical Students' Attitudes and Academic Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis 2017 PBL 9 3,485 9 -0.39
Journal on Education Waterboro, Nierman, Jasiah, Surur, & Astuti Meta-analysis study for the use of project based learning models in teaching and learning activities.  2023 PBL 73 NA 73 1.05
Conference paper Klager Project-Based Learning in Science: A Meta-Analysis of Science Achievement Effects. 2018 PBL 17 NA 17 0.46
Science Education International Uluçinar The effect of problem-based learning in science education on academic achievement: A meta-analytical study. 2023 PBL 55 NA 55 1.01
Journal of Statistics Education Erdem A Meta-analytic Review of Studies of the Effectiveness of Small-Group Learning Methods on Statistics Achievement. 2022 PBL 13 NA 15 0.82
TOTAL/AVERAGE 1,059 103,700 1,520 0.47
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