An Examination of College Seniors’ Self-Reported Critical Thinking Ability: A Three-Level Hierarchical Linear Model

• In Event: Poster Session 18
  In Poster Session: College Student Learning and Outcomes Poster Session 1

Abstract

This study examined the influences on college seniors’ perceived critical thinking ability using a sample of 56,276 seniors from 405 institutions that participated in the 2006 administration of the National Survey of Student Engagement. The results of a three-level hierarchical linear model indicate that higher order thinking skills, academic effort, student-faculty interaction, student’s major, and characteristics of the institution, such as perceptions of the college environment, residential character, and selectivity have a significant impact on students’ perceived critical thinking ability. Additionally, more variability in critical thinking was found between majors with institutions than between institutions suggesting an important influence academic disciplines have on students’ perceived critical thinking ability.

Author

• Louis Rocconi, Indiana University - Bloomington