Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
MS in Engineering Education, Faculty of Engineering Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2
Associate professor, School of Engineering Science, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran,
3
Associate Professor, Department of Methods, Educational Planning and Curriculum, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran,
10.22034/cipj.2025.64534.1249
Abstract
Background and Objectives:
Critical thinking is a fundamental skill that helps students analyze and solve complex problems. In engineering fields, identifying and strengthening the factors that influence this competency can improve the quality of education. The aim of this study is to identify these factors in engineering students.
Method:
This research employs a mixed exploratory approach. In the qualitative phase, articles indexed in Scopus and ScienceDirect databases were reviewed. After content analysis and interviews with experts, influential factors were extracted. In the quantitative phase, structural equation modeling (ISM) was used to examine relationships between these factors, and MICMAC analysis was conducted to identify the power and dependencies of the factors.
Findings:
The results revealed that from the 11 identified factors, 8 key factors significantly impact critical thinking in engineering students. These factors include: "interactive teaching methods," "content quality," "problem-solving abilities," "support and evaluation," "development of critical thinking skills," "educational environment impacts," "use of technology," and "individual factors." MICMAC analysis showed that some of these factors have a high influence and can significantly affect other factors.
Conclusion:
Strengthening critical thinking in engineering students requires attention to teaching methods, learning environments, and individual characteristics. Creating active learning environments, using interactive teaching methods, and implementing analysis-based assessments can enhance this skill. It is also recommended to revise educational programs based on these factors.
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