Effects of Problem Based Learning and Conventional Learning on Critical Thinking Ability of Higher Secondary School Students in Economics

The current research paper attempts to investigate the effects of problem based learning and conventional learning on critical thinking ability of senior secondary schools in economics. The study was experimental in nature and the participants of the study comprised 62 students of class XII selected via purposive sampling technique. The participants were divided into two groups i.e., experimental group and control group (31 students in each group). Self-developed achievement test of economics based on critical thinking ability was administered to collect relevant data. Results of the study exposed that problem based learning contribute significantly on development of critical thinking ability among senior secondary school students in economics. Moreover, significant difference was found between two groups of students exposed to problem based learning and conventional method in developing their critical thinking ability. Thus, problem based learning is better than conventional learning to develop critical thinking ability among the higher secondary school students in economics.