Design and validation of CRISENSE, a novel critical competence assessment tool for Spanish adolescents and young adults
Design and validation of CRISENSE, a novel critical competence assessment tool for Spanish adolescents and young adults
The acquisition of critical competence is essential at all educational levels. The measurement of this competency presents a significant challenge, particularly considering the methodological complexities involved. Developing tests to assess critical competence requires rigorous processes of elaboration and validation, without which the validity of the results can be affected. Most existing Spanish tests are translations from other languages –such as English. This often affects the readability of the questions, and in turn the validity of the tests. To address this issue, this study proposes and validates CRISENSE, a critical competency measurement tool created in Spanish that addresses three dimensions: comprehension, deduction, and critical positioning. CRISENSE was designed based on the existing Watson-Glasser and Halpern critical thinking tests, and pre-tested by a panel of experts in critical competence and reading comprehension. The resulting tool was subjected to testing with a sample population of 575 students, comprising individuals from secondary, high school, and university levels of education. The psychometric properties of the test were evaluated through descriptive analysis, item homogeneity, confirmatory factor analysis, and a measurement invariance study between sexes and between educational levels. Additionally, the reliability of the scores was evaluated using Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. The results demonstrated positive evidence of validity and reliability of the test scores, exhibiting satisfactory adjustment indices and coefficients in each analysis. Consequently, the critical thinking test can be deemed as a valuable tool for assessing this construct in Spanish students, contributing to the expansion of current scientific evidence on this topic.
Critical competency; competency test; validation tool; critical thinking; and reading competence; Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Critical competency, Validation tool, Critical thinking, Confirmatory factor analysis, Reading competence, Competency test
del Pilar Jimenez Perez, Elena
17d77f7c-52fd-4feb-a3a7-9e7d893282c1
Leon Urrutia, Manuel
4c9d6ced-5e35-4f09-827b-c2e4c702df3c
García Guirao, Pedro
020c3ef2-456e-4ff3-970d-3572ca12efd3
Cerezo Guzman, María Victoria
7638988a-a5a0-4c43-833e-d30b386d36cb
5 December 2024
del Pilar Jimenez Perez, Elena
17d77f7c-52fd-4feb-a3a7-9e7d893282c1
Leon Urrutia, Manuel
4c9d6ced-5e35-4f09-827b-c2e4c702df3c
García Guirao, Pedro
020c3ef2-456e-4ff3-970d-3572ca12efd3
Cerezo Guzman, María Victoria
7638988a-a5a0-4c43-833e-d30b386d36cb
del Pilar Jimenez Perez, Elena, Leon Urrutia, Manuel, García Guirao, Pedro and Cerezo Guzman, María Victoria
(2024)
Design and validation of CRISENSE, a novel critical competence assessment tool for Spanish adolescents and young adults.
Thinking Skills and Creativity, 56, [101708].
(doi:10.1016/j.tsc.2024.101708).
Abstract
The acquisition of critical competence is essential at all educational levels. The measurement of this competency presents a significant challenge, particularly considering the methodological complexities involved. Developing tests to assess critical competence requires rigorous processes of elaboration and validation, without which the validity of the results can be affected. Most existing Spanish tests are translations from other languages –such as English. This often affects the readability of the questions, and in turn the validity of the tests. To address this issue, this study proposes and validates CRISENSE, a critical competency measurement tool created in Spanish that addresses three dimensions: comprehension, deduction, and critical positioning. CRISENSE was designed based on the existing Watson-Glasser and Halpern critical thinking tests, and pre-tested by a panel of experts in critical competence and reading comprehension. The resulting tool was subjected to testing with a sample population of 575 students, comprising individuals from secondary, high school, and university levels of education. The psychometric properties of the test were evaluated through descriptive analysis, item homogeneity, confirmatory factor analysis, and a measurement invariance study between sexes and between educational levels. Additionally, the reliability of the scores was evaluated using Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. The results demonstrated positive evidence of validity and reliability of the test scores, exhibiting satisfactory adjustment indices and coefficients in each analysis. Consequently, the critical thinking test can be deemed as a valuable tool for assessing this construct in Spanish students, contributing to the expansion of current scientific evidence on this topic.
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 21 November 2024
e-pub ahead of print date: 26 November 2024
Published date: 5 December 2024
Keywords:
Critical competency; competency test; validation tool; critical thinking; and reading competence; Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Critical competency, Validation tool, Critical thinking, Confirmatory factor analysis, Reading competence, Competency test
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 496370
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/496370
ISSN: 1871-1871
PURE UUID: 09e8ef2f-94c6-47a8-920b-2861af757f00
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Date deposited: 12 Dec 2024 18:02
Last modified: 22 Mar 2025 02:45
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Contributors
Author:
Elena del Pilar Jimenez Perez
Author:
Pedro García Guirao
Author:
María Victoria Cerezo Guzman
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