Effectiveness of The Group Investigation Method on Problem-Solving Skills and Cooperation of Elementary School Students

Laila Anjani Wulandari (Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Sleman, Indonesia)
Deni Hardianto (Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Sleman, Indonesia)
Muhammad Anarda Wiguna (Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Sleman, Indonesia)

Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial Indonesia
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial Indonesia (In Press)

This study examines the influence and effectiveness of the Group Investigation method on elementary students' problem-solving ability and cooperation in Pancasila Education. It employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control-group design, comparing an experimental class and a control class of fourth-grade students at Giriwungu State Elementary School. Data were collected using a reflective problem-solving test and a cooperation observation sheet, both of which were validated and tested for reliability prior to implementation. The data were analyzed using normality and homogeneity tests, normalized gain (N-gain), and Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA). The results revealed that the Group Investigation method had a significant simultaneous effect on students' problem-solving ability and cooperation, with a large effect size (partial η² = .378). Furthermore, the method explained 23.4% of the variance in problem-solving ability and 29.1% of the variance in cooperation after controlling for pretest scores. These findings provide empirical evidence that the Group Investigation method can simultaneously foster cognitive and social competencies through inquiry-based cooperative learning, highlighting its potential as an effective instructional approach for Pancasila Education in elementary schools. Penelitian ini mengkaji pengaruh dan efektivitas metode Group Investigation terhadap kemampuan pemecahan masalah dan kerja sama peserta didik sekolah dasar dalam pembelajaran Pendidikan Pancasila. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control-group dengan membandingkan kelas eksperimen dan kelas kontrol pada peserta didik kelas IV SD Negeri Girinkuiri Data dikumpulkan menggunakan tes reflektif kemampuan pemecahan masalah dan lembar observasi kerja sama yang telah diuji validitas dan reliabilitasnya sebelum digunakan. Data dianalisis menggunakan uji normalitas, homogenitas, normalized gain (N-gain), dan Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa metode Group Investigation memberikan pengaruh simultan yang signifikan terhadap kemampuan pemecahan masalah dan kerja sama dengan ukuran efek yang besar (partial η² = 0,378). Selain itu, metode ini menjelaskan 23,4% variasi kemampuan pemecahan masalah dan 29,1% variasi kerja sama setelah mengontrol skor pretest. Temuan ini memberikan bukti empiris bahwa metode Group Investigation mampu mengembangkan kompetensi kognitif dan sosial secara simultan melalui pembelajaran kooperatif berbasis inkuiri, sehingga berpotensi menjadi pendekatan pembelajaran yang efektif dalam Pendidikan Pancasila di sekolah dasar.