Modeling the assessment of students critical thinking based on the calculation of latent variables

   The relevance of this research topic lies in the need for modern people to quickly evaluate information and effectively use arguments when making decisions.

   These qualities are embodied in a personality trait known as critical thinking. Critical thinking is applicable to any task, as it is not based on specific knowledge. Critical thinking is a key human competency that integrates reflective, analytical, and evaluative aspects.

   The aim of this study was to assess the critical thinking skills of university students.

   To achieve this goal, a survey was conducted among 22 law school graduates from a university in Omsk. The anonymity of the testing process ensured the rights of the participants. The test consists of twelve tasks of varying difficulty. It was developed by staff at the Moscow Institute of Open Education. Students were given tasks to complete within twenty minutes. One point was awarded for completing a task correctly. Failure to complete a task resulted in zero points. The primary data were analyzed using the additive method and the latent variable method. The computational results showed that two students demonstrated a high level of critical thinking. It was found that, despite the relatively low difficulty of the test tasks, the remaining students’ critical thinking skills were insufficiently high. Therefore, the institution’s faculty should focus on improving their efforts to develop students’ critical thinking. This requires the use of a variety of teaching methods. Therefore, two graduates with high critical thinking scores could be recommended for employment at a prestigious firm.

1. Barkalov S.A., Moiseev S.I., Timofeeva V.A. Methods for Assessing Quality Indicators in the Analysis of Complex Systems. Proektnoe Upravlenie v Stroitel’stve. 2021:4(25):50–57 (in Russian).

2. Kuz’menko R.V., Moiseev S.I., Kasatkina T.I., Korchagin V.V. Latent Variable-based Model for Assessing Professional Suitability and Personnel Management in the Divisions of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia. Vestnik Voronezhskogo instituta FSIN Rossii. 2019:4:99–108 (in Russian).

3. Berdnikova I.A. Students Critical Thinking as a Factor in the Success of Their Educational Activities. V sb.: Novyj Mir. Novyj Yazyk. Novoe Myshlenie: (2024 g.). Moscow: Russian Diplomaticheskaya Akademiya MID RF; 2024:117–120 (in Russian).

4. Ushkin S.G. Who Believes Fakes and Shares Them with Their Circle of Friends? Tomsk State University Journal of Philosophy Sociology and Political Science. 2024:80:173–184 (in Russian).

5. Gracheva D.A., Tarasova K.V. Approaches to the Development of Scenario-type Task Variants within the Framework of the Evidentiary Argumentation Method. Domestic and Foreign Pedagogy, 2022:1, 3(84):83–97 (in Russian).

6. Titova N.K. Development of Critical Thinking of Students Majoring in the Humanities in Project Activities. Vyssheye Obrazovaniye Segodnya. 2024:4:91–94 (in Russian).

7. Lapina N.A. Modern Pedagogical Methods of Developing Critical Thinking. Social and Humanitarian Technologies. 2024:2(30):114–119 (in Russian).

8. Shcheglov A.K. Using Simulations to Practice Decision-making, Communication and Critical Thinking Skills. In: Theory and Practice of Interaction when Implementing the Continuous Education Model. Saint Petersburg. 2024:135–140 (in Russian).

9. Masterova A.A., Timofeev A.V. Risks of Artificial Intelligence Impact on Human Cognitive Abilities. Nauka XXI veka: aktual’nye napravleniya razvitiya. 2024:2-2:230–234 (in Russian).

10. Belecina R.R., Ocampo J.M. Effecting Change on Students’ Critical Thinking in Problem Solving in EDUCARE. International Journal for Educational Studies. 2018:10(2):109–118.

11. Sholihah T.M., Lastariwati B. Problem Based Learning to Increase Competence of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. Education and Learning. 2020:14(1):148–154.

12. Matthee M., Turpin M. Invited Paper: Teaching Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Design Thinking: Preparing IS Students for the Future. Information Systems Education. 2019:30(4):242–52.

13. Shanta S., Wells J.G. The Design Based Learning: Assessing Student Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Abilities. Technology and Design Education. 2022:32:267–285.

14. Ozcan P. The Effect of Critical Thinking Education on the Critical Thinking Skills and the Critical Thinking Dispositions of Preservice Teachers. Educational Research and Reviews. 2020:15(10):606–627.

15. Murawski L.M. Critical Thinking in the Classroom… and Beyond. Learning in Higher Education. 2014:10(1):25–30.