Critical Thinking and Its Assessment: A Literature Review with Special Reference in Greece and Cyprus

Abstract

Critical thinking as a cognitive process refers to the critical thinking skills of a conscious person who explores a situation or a problem from different perspectives. In order to measure this cognitive process and skills many tools have been established. However, the accurate assessment of critical thinking skills depends on the instruments' properties being invariant or similar across cultural, ageing and other groups. For this reason, qualitative and quantitative assessments methods have been proposed and used. The aim of this study is to explore the concept of critical thinking and to present the critical thinking assessment tools used worldwide with special reference in Greece and Cyprus. For this purpose, literature-based research methodology was adopted that included analysis and evaluation of relevant published literature. The literature review showed that though many tools have been introduced for measuring critical thinking skills only thirteen of them have undergone the processes of validity and credibility procedures worldwide. Moreover, these thirteen tools include both qualitative and quantitative research methods, with qualitative ones to prevail. Finally, in Greece and Cyprus, the research of critical thinking and the assessment of critical thinking skills is a new established field and only few researches have been conducted using structured tools.

Формування Критичного Мислення У Студентів: Методи Та Підходи До Розвитку Аналітичних Здібностей

“…Опанування навичками аналізу та рефлексії у будь-якій галузі передбачає розуміння її суті. [4]. Навчання на заняттях має бути спрямовано на пошук та осмислення нових знань, формування навичок самостійної діяльності, прийняття рішень, формування продуктивного мислення.…”

Needs Analysis of Development of Critical Thinking Skills Assessment Instruments on Vocational School English Subjects

“…Critical thinking uses evidence, reasons, and attempts to overcome individual biases (Halpern, 2014). In addition, critical thinking is an activity of deliberation and skill for investigating matters and conditions from different perceptions (K. Fountzoulas et al, 2019). Students' comprehension or knowledge of critical thinking skills was a good first step for students to foster their critical thinking skills.…”

Model for Developing and Assessing Critical Thinking Skills in an Undergraduate Civil Engineering Program

“…Many supporters of critical thinking pedagogy disagree on its definition, the method of assessment and the impact of its application in academic, professional, and personal life (Fountzoulas et al, 2019). The United States Engineering Accreditation Board, ABET supports the above statement and requires that graduates from engineering programs demonstrate the following skills (ABET, 2019):…”

“…However, identifying, categorizing, and evaluating students' outcomes in critical thinking still poses challenges. Despite the fact that many assessment tools have been introduced, assessment of critical thinking is a relatively new established field (Fountzoulas et al, 2019). Similarly, Adair and Jaeger (2016) argue that there is little consensus on how to assess students' critical thinking development level.…”