The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Problem- and Project-Based Learning

When it comes to searching for information about this topic, the term "project-based learning" is commonly used. However, the subject term used in many databases is "project method in teaching," so it's a good idea to include both of these terms in your search. Project-based learning is often abbreviated as PBL, so you can include this term as well. It's worth noting that some educators are substituting other p-words for project, so PBL may bring back some of these options as well. To incorporate all of these terms, use the word OR to join them: (project-based learning OR project method in teaching OR PBL). 

Since this method of teaching is common in K-12 as well as higher education, it's a good idea to limit your search to higher education contexts. A good set of terms for this level of education could look like this: (higher education OR college OR university OR post secondary OR postsecondary OR undergraduate OR graduate). 

Finally, you may want to add terms about your discipline. A search in Education Research Complete (link provided below) for project-based learning in college chemistry may look like this:

In a single box, the search string would look like this: (project-based learning OR project method in teaching OR PBL) AND (higher education OR college OR university OR post secondary OR postsecondary OR undergraduate OR graduate) AND chemistry.