Boud (1985 as cited in Savin-Baden & Major, 2004, p. 4) outlines eight characteristics that are common in research that elaborate on the pedagogical understanding that underpins PBL:
1. An acknowledgement of the base of experience of learners.
2. An emphasis on students taking responsibility for their own learning.
3. A crossing of boundaries between disciplines.
4. An intertwining of theory and practice.
5. A focus on process rather than the product of knowledge acquisition.
6. A change in focus of tutors’ role from that of instructor to that of facilitator.
7. A change in the focus from tutors’ assessment of outcomes of learning to student self-assessment and peer assessment.
8. A focus on communication and interpersonal skills so that students understand that in order to relate their knowledge, they require skills to communicate with others, skills that go beyond their area of technical expertise.