Influence of critical thinking disposition on the learning efficiency of problem-based learning in undergraduate medical students

Magical and paranormal beliefs have been found in all cultures and strata of society, including medical university students. Critical thinking skills and dispositions are generally considered desirable outcomes of the educational process. Nevertheless, there is the lack of conceptual clarity about interrelations between the magical and critical thinking. Aim of the study is to explore prevalence of magical, paranormal beliefs and pseudoscientific beliefs among undergraduate medical students, as well as to explore prevalence of critical thinking dispositions among medical students and to assess interrelations and psychodynamics between “noncritical” forms of thinking – magical, paranormal and pseudoscientific beliefs, and critical thinking disposition. The results showed statistically significant negative correlation between paranormal beliefs and critical thinking disposition if students are put in optional situation between opposite statements. If statements in assessment scales do not put respondents in optional situation, their results do not show significant correlations.

Download Full-text

Psychometric properties of the critical thinking disposition assessment test amongst medical students in China: a cross-sectional study

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-020-02437-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Liyuan Cui ◽

Yaxin Zhu ◽

Jinglou Qu ◽

Liming Tie ◽

Ziqi Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Critical Thinking ◽

Medical Students ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Critical Thinking Disposition ◽

Thinking Disposition ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Abstract Background Critical thinking disposition helps medical students and professionals overcome the effects of personal values and beliefs when exercising clinical judgment. The lack of effective instruments to measure critical thinking disposition in medical students has become an obstacle for training and evaluating students in undergraduate programs in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the CTDA test. Methods A total of 278 students participated in this study and responded to the CTDA test. Cronbach’s α coefficient, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, floor effects and ceiling effects were measured to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. Construct validity of the pre-specified three-domain structure of the CTDA was evaluated by explanatory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The convergent validity and discriminant validity were also analyzed. Results Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the entire questionnaire was calculated to be 0.92, all of the domains showed acceptable internal consistency (0.81–0.86), and the test-retest reliability indicated acceptable intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) (0.93, p < 0.01). The EFA and the CFA demonstrated that the three-domain model fitted the data adequately. The test showed satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusions The CTDA is a reliable and valid questionnaire to evaluate the disposition of medical students towards critical thinking in China and can reasonably be applied in critical thinking programs and medical education research.

Download Full-text

Effectiveness of Simulation linked Problem Based Learning on Nursing College Students in South Korea

Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies ◽

10.36941/ajis-2020-0018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 15

Author(s):

Mi-Hye Lim

Keyword(s):

Critical Thinking ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Problem Solving ◽

South Korea ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Problem Based Learning ◽

T Test ◽

Critical Thinking Disposition ◽

Before And After ◽

Thinking Disposition

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of simulation with problem based learning on learning self-efficacy, critical thinking disposition and problem solving ability on nursing students in South Korea. The study was used one group pre-post test design, conducted on 65 nursing students in C Province and from August 27th to November 14th 2018. The study purpose was explained to the subject and a written informed consent was obtained. The participants were divided into three classes of five groups each. Every group consisted of four to five students. Simulation linked problem based learning was conducted for a total of nine hours: three hours a week over a period of three weeks. The differences between self-efficacy, problem solving ability, and critical thinking tendency were examined before and after simulation linked problem based learning. Data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire and analyzed using t-test, paired-t-test, Pearson's correlation. The scores of learning self-efficacy and critical thinking disposition after the simulation with problem-based learning were significantly higher than before simulation with problem-based learning. Learning self-efficacy after S-PBL had a significant positive correlation with critical thinking tendency and problem-solving ability, and there was a correlation between critical thinking tendency and the degree of problem-solving ability. As simulation with problem based learning improves the learning self-efficacy and critical thinking disposition of nursing students, it is necessary to develop scenarios based on various clinical cases and to operate a learning method to experience the problem-solving process.

Download Full-text

Psychometric Properties of the Critical Thinking Disposition Assessment Test Amongst Medical Students in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-16612/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Liyuan Cui ◽

Yaxin Zhu ◽

Jinglou Qu ◽

Liming Tie ◽

Ziqi Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Critical Thinking ◽

Medical Students ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Critical Thinking Disposition ◽

Thinking Disposition ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Abstract Background: Critical thinking disposition helps medical students and professionals overcome the effects of personal values and beliefs when exercising clinical judgment. The lack of effective instruments to measure critical thinking disposition in medical students has become an obstacle for training and evaluating students in undergraduate programs in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the CTDA test.Methods: A total of 278 students participated in this study and responded to the CTDA test. Cronbach’s a coefficient, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, floor effects and ceiling effects were measured to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. Construct validity of the pre-specified three-domain structure of the CTDA was evaluated by explanatory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The convergent validity and discriminant validity were also analyzed.Results: Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the entire questionnaire was calculated to be 0.92, all of the domains showed acceptable internal consistency (0.81-0.86), and the test-retest reliability indicated acceptable intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) (0.93, p<0.01). The EFA and the CFA demonstrated that the three-domain model fitted the data adequately. The test showed satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity.Conclusions: The CTDA is a reliable and valid questionnaire to evaluate the disposition of medical students towards critical thinking in China and can reasonably be applied in critical thinking programs and medical education research.

Download Full-text