To evaluate the effect of concept map-based instruction on learning and critical-thinking skills among undergraduate dental students enrolled in a forensic dentistry course.
Design
A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest study involving 42 fifth-year dental students in intervention (n=21) and control (n=21) groups. Concept map-based instruction was compared with conventional lecture and PowerPoint-based instruction. Learning and critical thinking were assessed before and after the intervention.
Settings and conduct
The study was conducted in the first semester of 2018–2019 at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Both groups were taught by the same instructor using a standardized protocol. Knowledge was assessed with a 12-item researcher-developed test, and critical thinking with the Persian version of the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST-B).
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Forty-two fifth-year dental students enrolled in the compulsory forensic dentistry course at Kerman University of Medical Sciences were included. Eligibility criteria were fifth-year enrollment, participation in the course, willingness to participate, and no previous experience with concept map-based instruction. Absence from one or more instructional sessions was an exclusion criterion.
Intervention groups
Participants were randomly assigned to two groups of 21. The intervention group received concept map-based instruction using case scenarios, key concept identification, concept map construction, and guided discussion, while the control group received conventional PowerPoint-based lectures. Both groups received the same content and learning objectives.
Main outcome variables
Knowledge score in forensic dentistry and critical-thinking score measured before and after the intervention. Concept map construction performance was also assessed in the intervention group.
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260910071001N1
Registration date:2026-10-17, 1405/07/25
Registration timing:retrospective
Last update:2026-10-17, 1405/07/25
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-10-17, 1405/07/25
Registrant information
Name
Maryam Moosanejad
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 34 3281 5019
Email address
m.moosanejad@kmu.ac.ir
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2018-03-21, 1397/01/01
Expected recruitment end date
2019-05-11, 1398/02/21
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
Effect of Concept Map-Based Instruction on Learning and Critical Thinking in Undergraduate Forensic Dentistry Education
Public title
Effect of Concept Map-Based Instruction on Learning and Critical Thinking in Undergraduate Forensic Dentistry Education
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Fifth-semester dental students
who were willing to participate in the study
No prior training in the concept map-based teaching method.
Exclusion criteria:
There was one absence during the forensic dentistry training course.
Age
No age limit
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
42
More than 1 sample in each individual
Number of samples in each individual:
21
The intervention group consisted of 8 boys and 13 girls, and the control group consisted of 14 boys and 7 girls.
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
A total of 42 fifth-semester dental students currently taking the forensic dentistry course were included in the study via a census approach; they were assigned to either a control group or an intervention group. Given the limited number of students, all eligible dental students were recruited using purposive sampling; although random assignment to groups was employed, the study deviated from true randomization and assumed a quasi-experimental design.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Other
Other design features
This prospective quasi-experimental controlled study was conducted among 42 fifth-year dental students enrolled in a compulsory forensic dentistry course. Participants were randomly allocated to either a concept map-based instruction group (n = 21) or a conventional lecture-based teaching group (n = 21). Both groups received identical educational content over two instructional sessions delivered by the same instructor. Knowledge was assessed using a validated researcher-developed 12-item multiple-choice examination, and critical-thinking skills were measured using the Persian version of the California Critical Thinking Skills Test before and after the intervention. Between-group and within-group comparisons were performed using independent- and paired-samples t-tests.
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Street address
University of Medical Sciences Campus, beginning of Haft-Bagh-e Alavi Boulevard, Kerman
City
Kerman
Province
Kerman
Postal code
7616910002
Approval date
2019-02-18, 1397/11/29
Ethics committee reference number
IR.KMU.REC.1397.492
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Forensic Dentistry Education
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Students’ learning score in forensic dentistry course content
Timepoint
Before the intervention and immediately after the intervention
Method of measurement
Measured using a 12-item written test designed to assess learning; each correct answer was scored 1 point and each incorrect answer 0 points, and the total number of correct responses was calculated as the learning score.
2
Description
Students’ critical thinking score
Timepoint
Before the intervention and immediately after the intervention
Method of measurement
Measured using the California Critical Thinking questionnaire
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Concept map-based instruction in the forensic dentistry course. The course content was reviewed and organized into scenarios, and concept maps were developed following analysis of the content and presented during two instructional sessions.
Category
Other
2
Description
Control group: Conventional instruction in the forensic dentistry course using lectures and PowerPoint presentations.
Category
Other
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Esmat Nouhi
Street address
Rezvan 17
City
Kerman
Province
Kerman
Postal code
987654321
Phone
+98 34 3226 8056
Email
m.moosanejad@kmu.ac.ir
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Dr. Hamid Sharifi
Street address
Deputy of Research and Technology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Ibn Sina Street, Somayeh Intersection (Tahmasab Abad), Kerman, Iran
City
Kerman
Province
Kerman
Postal code
987654321
Phone
+98 34 3226 3821
Fax
+98 34 3226 3857
Email
sharifihami@gmail.com
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
No
Title of funding source
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic
Person responsible for general inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Esmat Nouhi
Position
Faculty Members
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Nursery
Street address
Rezvan 17
City
Kerman
Province
Kerman
Postal code
987654321
Phone
+98 34 3226 8056
Email
m.moosanejad@kmu.ac.ir
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Esmat Nouhi
Position
Faculty Members
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Nursery
Street address
Rezvan 17
City
Kerman
Province
Kerman
Postal code
987654321
Phone
+98 34 3226 8056
Email
m.moosanejad@kmu.ac.ir
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Full name of responsible person
Esmat Nouhi
Position
Faculty Members
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Nursery
Street address
Rezvan 17
City
Kerman
Province
Kerman
Postal code
987654321
Phone
+98 34 3226 8056
Email
m.moosanejad@kmu.ac.ir
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Justification/reason for indecision/not sharing IPD
Due to the need to protect participants’ confidentiality and privacy, and considering the educational nature of the study, there is no plan to make individual participant data (IPD) publicly available.