Measuring Critical Thinking in Problem-Based Learning Discourse
- 1 January 2001
- journal article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Teaching and Learning in Medicine
- Vol. 13 (1) , 27-35
- https://doi.org/10.1207/s15328015tlm1301_6
Abstract
Critical thinking (CT) is a composite of skills linked to problem-based learning (PBL). This study has 3 purposes: (a) to determine if PBL discourse could be coded for CT, (b) to demonstrate reliable coding, and (c) to determine whether a CT ratio would provide a valid measure to compare 2 PBL groups. Using prior research, we refined the code for a content analysis of PBL transcripts. Raters coded 6 hr of transcripts and computed CT ratios for each of the 5 CT stages. Average interrater agreement was 85.5%. CT ratios appeared to differ between 2 PBL groups delivered in 2 modalities. PBL discourse could be coded following a CT framework. Independent raters reliably applied the code, and the resulting CT ratios detected tenable differences. This approach could provide useful information about the effect of case modality.Keywords
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