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Reliability and concurrent validity of a measure of critical thinking skills in biology
Author(s) -
McMurray Mary Anne,
Beisenherz Paul,
Thompson Bruce
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of research in science teaching
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.067
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1098-2736
pISSN - 0022-4308
DOI - 10.1002/tea.3660280208
Subject(s) - critical thinking , measure (data warehouse) , reliability (semiconductor) , concurrent validity , test (biology) , psychology , mathematics education , internal consistency , test validity , critical appraisal , watson , achievement test , standardized test , computer science , psychometrics , developmental psychology , artificial intelligence , medicine , biology , paleontology , power (physics) , physics , alternative medicine , pathology , quantum mechanics , database
The present study investigated the utility of 52 items, selected from a readily available item pool developed for instructional purposes, when the items are used to measure critical thinking abilities of biology students. The items yield scores that have reasonable internal consistency reliability. Furthermore, analyses involving ACT, Watson‐Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal, and Group Embedded Figures Test scores also suggest that the critical thinking test items have good concurrent validity. Thus, the measure may be useful in both science instruction and future research regarding critical thinking phenomena.