Year: 2026 | Month: May | Volume: 13 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 775-783
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260576
Development of a Project-Based Learning-Based Introductory Economics Textbook to Improve Critical and Analytical Skills
Bayu Surindra1, Susi Damayanti2, Elis Irmayanti3, Nabhira Seffiena Pranatasya4, Amelia Retnosari5
1,2Economics Education Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business, Nusantara PGRI University of Kediri, Indonesia.
Corresponding Author: Bayu Surindra
ABSTRACT
This study was motivated by the importance of critical and analytical thinking skills for students in facing global economic dynamics, given that the current learning process is often theoretical and one-way. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of using a Project-Based Learning (PjBL) economics textbook in improving students' critical and analytical thinking skills. The method used is quantitative with a quasi-experimental design of one group pre-test and post-test on 31 first-semester students of the Economics Education Study Programme at Universitas Nusantara PGRI Kediri. The results show a significant increase in the average score from 79.03 to 97.87. Statistical testing using the Paired Samples T-Test produced a significance value of 0.001 < 0.05, which proves that there is a real difference in ability after the intervention. Additionally, there was an increase in the homogeneity of students' abilities, as indicated by a sharp decrease in the standard deviation from 11.931 to 1.857. This study concluded that PjBL-based textbooks are effective in stimulating higher-order thinking skills and are highly suitable for widespread implementation at the university level.
Keywords: Pocket Book, Introduction to Economics, Project-Based Learning, Critical Thinking, Analytical Skills
[PDF Full Text]