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Predictive Effect of Project-Based Learning Quality on Scientific Problem-Solving Ability

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Title: Predictive Effect of Project-Based Learning Quality on Scientific Problem-Solving Ability
Language: English
Authors: Pingping Zhao (ORCID 0000-0002-6920-6053), Zhi Liu (ORCID 0000-0002-2952-0849), Hao Zhou (ORCID 0000-0002-3232-657X), Yueyang Shao (ORCID 0000-0001-5107-9431), Jian Liu (ORCID 0000-0001-7501-6881)
Source: Journal of Baltic Science Education. 2026 25(1):190-206.
Availability: Scientia Socialis Ltd. 29 K. Donelaicio Street, LT-78115 Siauliai, Republic of Lithuania. e-mail: scientia@scientiasocialis.lt; e-mail: mail.jbse@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.scientiasocialis.lt/jbse/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools
Middle Schools
Secondary Education
Elementary Education
Grade 7
Descriptors: Prediction, Student Projects, Active Learning, Science Process Skills, Problem Solving, Middle School Students, Secondary School Science, Grade 7, Science Tests, Computer Assisted Testing, Scores, Educational Quality
ISSN: 1648-3898
2538-7138
Abstract: Many studies have examined the relationship between project-based learning (PBL) and scientific problemsolving ability, but few have addressed the issue of the quality of PBL (QPBL). This study analyzed two-wave data collected from 4,568 seventh-grade Chinese students. Pretest and posttest of scientific problem-solving ability were conducted through computer-based assessment featuring interactive tasks, and the students' QPBL scores were collected through a questionnaire. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) indicated that QPBL positively predicted students' scientific problem-solving ability. Specifically, "authenticity" positively predicted all three subcomponents of scientific problem-solving ability (design of scientific inquiry, scientific reasoning, and scientific explanation); "autonomy in research questions" negatively predicted all three subcomponents; and "group collaboration" and "project demonstration" positively predicted some of the subcomponents. These findings enrich the literature on the predictive effects of QPBL on scientific problem-solving ability in specific educational and cultural contexts and have practical implications for teachers seeking to apply PBL more effectively to enhance students' scientific problem-solving ability.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506495
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Predictive Effect of Project-Based Learning Quality on Scientific Problem-Solving Ability
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pingping+Zhao%22">Pingping Zhao</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6920-6053">0000-0002-6920-6053</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zhi+Liu%22">Zhi Liu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2952-0849">0000-0002-2952-0849</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hao+Zhou%22">Hao Zhou</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3232-657X">0000-0002-3232-657X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yueyang+Shao%22">Yueyang Shao</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5107-9431">0000-0001-5107-9431</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jian+Liu%22">Jian Liu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7501-6881">0000-0001-7501-6881</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Baltic+Science+Education%22"><i>Journal of Baltic Science Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 25(1):190-206.
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  Data: Scientia Socialis Ltd. 29 K. Donelaicio Street, LT-78115 Siauliai, Republic of Lithuania. e-mail: scientia@scientiasocialis.lt; e-mail: mail.jbse@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.scientiasocialis.lt/jbse/
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  Data: 17
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Junior+High+Schools%22">Junior High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Middle+Schools%22">Middle Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Grade+7%22">Grade 7</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Prediction%22">Prediction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Projects%22">Student Projects</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Active+Learning%22">Active Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Process+Skills%22">Science Process Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem+Solving%22">Problem Solving</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Middle+School+Students%22">Middle School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Science%22">Secondary School Science</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grade+7%22">Grade 7</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Tests%22">Science Tests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Assisted+Testing%22">Computer Assisted Testing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scores%22">Scores</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Quality%22">Educational Quality</searchLink>
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  Data: 1648-3898<br />2538-7138
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Many studies have examined the relationship between project-based learning (PBL) and scientific problemsolving ability, but few have addressed the issue of the quality of PBL (QPBL). This study analyzed two-wave data collected from 4,568 seventh-grade Chinese students. Pretest and posttest of scientific problem-solving ability were conducted through computer-based assessment featuring interactive tasks, and the students' QPBL scores were collected through a questionnaire. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) indicated that QPBL positively predicted students' scientific problem-solving ability. Specifically, "authenticity" positively predicted all three subcomponents of scientific problem-solving ability (design of scientific inquiry, scientific reasoning, and scientific explanation); "autonomy in research questions" negatively predicted all three subcomponents; and "group collaboration" and "project demonstration" positively predicted some of the subcomponents. These findings enrich the literature on the predictive effects of QPBL on scientific problem-solving ability in specific educational and cultural contexts and have practical implications for teachers seeking to apply PBL more effectively to enhance students' scientific problem-solving ability.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1506495
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 17
        StartPage: 190
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Prediction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Projects
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Active Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Science Process Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Problem Solving
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Middle School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Science
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grade 7
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      – SubjectFull: Science Tests
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      – SubjectFull: Computer Assisted Testing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Scores
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Quality
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    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Predictive Effect of Project-Based Learning Quality on Scientific Problem-Solving Ability
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            NameFull: Pingping Zhao
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            NameFull: Zhi Liu
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            NameFull: Hao Zhou
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            NameFull: Yueyang Shao
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