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The following research methods were employed: scientific literature analysis and focus group discussions to ensure data triangulation. Action pilot research was conducted during the development of a design project, with its stages aligned to the phases of the design process. The findings highlight key factors contributing to students\u2019 personal development and successful project outcomes. These include the organization and material infrastructure of the study process, the importance of collaboration across institutional units, among lecturers, and between lecturers and students. The study concludes that strengthening collaboration and stakeholder involvement in the improvement of the study process enhances students\u2019 learning experiences, facilitates knowledge exchange, and increases motivation and learning effectiveness.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3991\/ijep.v16i1.59173","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,3]],"date-time":"2026-03-03T14:33:26Z","timestamp":1772548406000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Action Research for the Improvement of a Project-Based Learning Approach in Design Studies"],"prefix":"10.3991","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9702-5834","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Aina","family":"Strode","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-2089-454X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Silvija","family":"Me\u017einska","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]}],"member":"2371","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,3]]},"reference":[{"key":"11363","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[1] S. Me\u017einska, \u201cResearch Activity of Students in the Application of Laser Processing and 3D Printing Technologies in Textile Fabrics,\u201d SOCIETY. INTEGRATION. EDUCATION. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference, vol. 4, May 28\u201329, 2021, pp. 599\u2013611. DOI: 10.17770\/sie2021vol4.6408. https:\/\/journals.ru.lv\/index.php\/SIE\/article\/view\/6408\/5162","DOI":"10.17770\/sie2021vol4.6408"},{"key":"11365","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"[2] S. Chandrasekaran, G. Littlefair, A. Stojcevski, \u201cThe role of the facilitator in a project\/design-based learning environment,\u201d in Proc. 2015 Int. Conf. Interactive Collaborative Learning (ICL), Florence, Italy, Sept. 20\u201324, 2015, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Piscataway, NJ, USA, 2015, pp. 21\u201324.","DOI":"10.1109\/ICL.2015.7318224"},{"key":"11367","unstructured":"[3] J. M. Long, M. Pereira, S. 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