Critical-thinking abilities of radiologic science students

Area of Science:

• Radiologic Technology Education
• Higher Education Assessment
• Cognitive Skills Development

Background:

• Critical thinking is essential for radiologic technologists.
• Educational pathways in radiologic technology include baccalaureate, associate, and certificate programs.
• Understanding how educational level impacts critical thinking is crucial for curriculum development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in critical thinking abilities among radiologic technology students across three educational levels.
• To compare the critical thinking performance of baccalaureate, associate degree, and certificate students.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with 357 radiologic technology students in Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
• The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal was administered to assess critical thinking abilities.
• Statistical analysis was used to compare scores across educational levels.

Main Results:

• A significant difference in critical thinking abilities was found among the three educational levels.
• Baccalaureate students scored significantly higher in critical thinking than associate and certificate students.
• Certificate students scored significantly higher than associate degree students.

Conclusions:

• The level of education significantly influences the development of critical thinking skills in radiologic technology students.
• Baccalaureate programs appear to foster higher critical thinking abilities compared to associate and certificate programs.
• Curriculum design in radiologic technology programs should consider the impact of educational level on critical thinking development.