Research article | Open Access
Educational Policy Analysis and Strategic Research 2025, Vol. 20(2) 32-57
Critical and Analytical Thinking: Unique and Overlapping Aspects from the Perspective of Teacher Candidates
pp. 32 - 57 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/epasr.2025.1329.2
Publish Date: June 30, 2025 | Single/Total View: 38/29 | Single/Total Download: 42/35
Abstract
This study examines the distinct and overlapping dimensions of critical and analytical thinking from the perspective of teacher candidates. In the rapidly evolving landscape of the 21st century, these cognitive skills are fundamental to academic achievement and social adaptation. The research aims to evaluate pre-service teachers’ tendencies toward critical and analytical thinking, considering variables such as gender, age, field of study, grade level, and GPA. The study, conducted with 1,562 pre-service teachers from an education faculty in Türkiye, adopts a causal research design utilizing the “Critical Thinking Standards Scale for the Teacher Candidates” and the “Analytical Thinking Tendency Scale.” The findings reveal that female candidates demonstrate higher tendencies toward critical thinking, whereas analytical thinking does not significantly vary by gender. Age positively influences analytical thinking but has no significant effect on critical thinking. The field of study impacts both skills, with candidates from verbal disciplines exhibiting higher scores. Furthermore, critical thinking shows a positive correlation with GPA, whereas analytical thinking appears to be independent of academic performance. These results highlight the necessity of integrating both cognitive skills into teacher education. The study suggests that while analytical thinking tends to develop with age and experience, critical thinking is more closely associated with structured educational practices. Future research should focus on practical strategies to enhance these cognitive abilities within teacher training programs.
Keywords: Critical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Teacher Candidates, Cognitive Skills, Education
APA 7th edition
Yasar, F.O., Ozden, M., & Yasar, E. (2025). Critical and Analytical Thinking: Unique and Overlapping Aspects from the Perspective of Teacher Candidates. Educational Policy Analysis and Strategic Research, 20(2), 32-57. https://doi.org/10.29329/epasr.2025.1329.2
Harvard
Yasar, F., Ozden, M. and Yasar, E. (2025). Critical and Analytical Thinking: Unique and Overlapping Aspects from the Perspective of Teacher Candidates. Educational Policy Analysis and Strategic Research, 20(2), pp. 32-57.
Chicago 16th edition
Yasar, Funda Orge, Mehtap Ozden and Enes Yasar (2025). "Critical and Analytical Thinking: Unique and Overlapping Aspects from the Perspective of Teacher Candidates". Educational Policy Analysis and Strategic Research 20 (2):32-57. https://doi.org/10.29329/epasr.2025.1329.2
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