A Study of Critical Thinking Skills of Faculty Members of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the State and Azad Universities in Isfahan

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Former M.Sc. Student of Agricultural Education, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agricultural Economics and Development, University of Tehran-Karaj-Iran

2 Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agricultural Economics and Development, University of Tehran-Karaj-Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agricultural Economics and Development, University of Tehran-Karaj-Iran

Abstract

Nowadays, a large amount of information has disturbed people in decision making. In this way, human access to critical thinking is considered as an essential solution to the exodus of these confusion. The aim of this descriptive-correlation study was Study of Critical Thinking Skills of Faculty Members of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the state and Azad Universities in Isfahan. The statistical population of the study consisted of 168 faculty members, study sample were determined by Cochran’s Formula of 117 individuals. In this study, stratified random sampling with probability proportionate manner was used. Research tool included California Critical Thinking Skills Test (Form B). The validity of the research tool was confirmed by the opinion of the professors of the Agricultural Extension and Education Department of the University of Tehran. To determine the reliability of the Critical Thinking Questionnaire, Kuder Richardson's formula (0.82) was used. Data were analyzed using SPSSwin23. The results showed that the critical thinking skills of faculty members at a low level. The results of critical faculty subtest tests show that the subcritical reasoning (5.47) of 16, the inductive reasoning (4.16) of 14, the evaluation (4.26) of 14, the inference (3.82) of 11 and analysing (2.75) of 9. Cluster analysis findings showed that faculty members are classified into five clusters (assessment and growth inductive reasoning, critical thinking is relatively grown, undeveloped critical thinking, growing critical thinking, critical thinking is freezing).

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research
Volume 50, Issue 3
August 2019
Pages 467-483

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