The Levels of Critical and Creative Thinking among Palestinian University Students in the West Bank, Palestine

Fakher Nabeel Mohamad  Khalili; Heba Khaled Ahmad  Sleem; Ashraf Munther Ahmad  Sayegh

doi:10.35516/edu.v49i3.1959

Authors

Fakher Nabeel Mohamad Khalili Psychology and Counseling Department, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, An Najah National University, Palestine. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7985-0643
Heba Khaled Ahmad Sleem Teaching Methods Department, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Teachers' Training, An Najah National University, Palestine
Ashraf Munther Ahmad Sayegh Educational Administration Department, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Teachers' Training, An Najah National University, Palestine.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/edu.v49i3.1959

Keywords:

Critical thinking, creative thinking, Palestinian universities.

Abstract

Objectives: The study aims to investigate levels of critical and creative thinking among university students in the West Bank, Palestine. It also aims to test for any possible correlation between critical and creative thinking.

Methods: A descriptive correlational research design was used and a sample of 414 students was selected. The California critical thinking skills and the cognitive processes associated with creativity test were utilized.

Results: The results show that the level of critical thinking among students was low, while the level of creative thinking was moderate. The correlation coefficient was statistically significant in the positive direction (r = 0.687). The results show that students of humanities are more creative than students of scientific disciplines. Students with high GPAs and those with advanced academic years are more critical thinkers compared to the others. Male students were better than female students in critical thinking.

Conclusions: The study recommends that thinking styles should be included in educational activities at universities.

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