This mixed-mode research investigated the effect of problem-based learning on understanding research among English language teaching students at M.A. level at Tabriz Payame Noor University in Iran. 36 M.A. students took part in the study. 18 students went through a traditional lecture-based course as the control group, and 18 students went througha problem-based learning coursein a different class as the experimental group. After carrying out the experiment, a questionnaire designed by the researcher was given to the students to find out how they felt about the new approach.
The analysis of data after 5 weeks of treatment proved that problem-based learning can be considered as a more effective approach to enhance students’ understanding ofresearch in terms of identifying variables of the study, formulating research questions, and designing the study. Also, the results gained from the questionnaire showed that the students had a very positive attitude toward problem-based approach, since they found the method less stressful, more cooperative and more effective.
