Journal of Education for Sustainability and Transformation (JESTRA)

Peer-reviewed open-access journal

E-ISSN: 3125-0130

Vol. 1 No. 4 (2026)
Articles

Simulation Supported Problem Based Learning and Critical Thinking: A Systematic Review of Comparative Evidence and Causal Attribution

  • Heru Pambudi Yuwono,
  • I Made Astra,
  • Esmar Budi,
  • Firmanul Catur Wibowo

How to Cite

Simulation Supported Problem Based Learning and Critical Thinking: A Systematic Review of Comparative Evidence and Causal Attribution. (2026). Journal of Education for Sustainability and Transformation, 1(4), 36-48. https://journal.serral.org/jestra/article/view/38

Abstract

This systematic review examined evidence on problem-based learning (PBL) supported by interactive simulation for critical thinking. A Scopus search on 1 October 2026 identified 134 records. Metadata filters for year, document type, language, and open-access status reduced this set to 52 records. The reconstructed audit excluded 33 records at title/abstract screening and retained 19 reports for narrative synthesis. Eight reports primarily examined PBL combined with simulation, while six directly compared simulation-supported PBL with an alternative instructional condition. Four comparisons assessed critical thinking through performance based tests or essays, whereas two relied on self-report questionnaires. Findings generally favored simulation-supported PBL, but the strength of evidence varied across study designs and outcome measures. Nonrandom allocation, incomplete reporting, bundled intervention components, and reliance on perceived rather than demonstrated critical-thinking ability limited causal interpretation. Studies combining PBL, simulation, and other instructional supports could not isolate the contribution of simulation. The evidence did not establish an additional causal benefit of scaffolding when simulation was already embedded in PBL. These findings warrant caution; a pooled estimate was not appropriate. Future studies should compare PBL alone, PBL with simulation, and PBL with simulation plus scaffolding under matched conditions, use validated performance-based measures, and report implementation fidelity in detail.

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