Enhancement of Critical Thinking Skill in Physics through Experimental Method: Is It Effective?

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in Problem-Based Learning. To accommodate the Problem-Based Learning model, education researchers compete to make modifications to learning methods. Besides, the stages in Problem-Based Learning lead to students' critical thinking skills because it leads to decision-making to solve the problem. However, the research to date has tended to focus on Problem-Based Learning more than the method that needs to be used. Therefore, this study was undertaken to analyze students' thinking skills by applying experimental methods to accommodate the Problem-Based Learning model. This study used a static group comparison design involving 72 class X students in Karanganyar, Central Java, divided into two groups. The first group was taught using the experimental method, while the second group was taught using the demonstration method. The students' critical thinking skills were then tested, employing six aspects: clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, and logic. The results revealed that the students' critical thinking abilities taught using the experimental method were higher than those taught using the demonstration method. It was because the experimental method provides flexibility for students to manipulate in solving the given problem. Implications of the results and future research are also presented.