Profile of Students' Physics Critical Thinking Skills and Prospect Analysis of Project-Oriented Problem-Based Learning Model

This research studies the profile of students' critical thinking skills in physics in general, indicators, aptitudes, gender, and analyzes the perspectives of the Project-Oriented Problem-Based Learning (POPBL) model in improving these skills. The method used in this study was descriptive quantitative with a sample of 154 students. Data collection methods using written tests, questionnaires and bibliometric extraction through the Scopus database with 25 received documents. The study showed that students in general have the ability to think critically in physics, since most of them have critical thinking skills according to low criteria. When viewed by indicators, the average score is the highest in the indicator "Evaluating", and the lowest average score is according to the indicator "Synthesis". There are some gifted students who demonstrate higher critical thinking. In addition, the value of women's critical thinking abilities is higher than that of men and there are significant differences. Research on the POPBL model, designed to improve critical thinking skills in the field of learning physics, is very potential, since it is characterized by great novelty and originality.   Received: 7 February 2024 / Accepted: 26 April 2024 / Published: 5 May 2024