Measuring critical thinking in graduate education: what do we know?
Accrediting and specialty organizations agree that a master's education expands critical thinking skills gained during undergraduate study, yet a review of literature revealed a lack of research measuring critical thinking of students enrolled in postbaccalaureate education in nursing and other fields. Of 35 studies retrieved, 17 were conducted on undergraduate nursing students, with the remainder spread across practicing RNs, and master's level students in physical therapy, business, medicine, and nursing. A critique of this research and recommendations for future study are presented.
Seldomridge
Lisa A
LA
Department of Nursing, Salsibury University, Salisbury, MD, USA. laseldomridge@salisbury.edu
Walsh
Catherine M
CM
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000592:standards; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000592:standards*; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008128:Logic; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000592:standards; D013850:Thinking