The Effectiveness of Critical Questions on Developing Critical Thinking Skills on Science Held by Intermediate Students In Riyadh City

Abstract

The aim of this research was to test the effectiveness of critical questions method in science on critical thinking skills of first year intermediate students in Riyadh city. An experimental pretest posttest nonequivalent control group design was applied. Eighty-four female students were chosen randomly, forty-one students participated as experimental group while forty-three students participated as control group. Both experimental and control groups were given pretests. Then the experimental group was taught using critical questions method and the control group was taught by the traditional method without using critical questions at the second semester of 1433- 1434H. At the end of the teaching period, both groups were given posttests. Data collected from the pretests and posttests were statistically processed using t test and eta square (η2). The results of study showed effectiveness of the critical questions method on developing critical thinking skills on science. In light of these finding, the present study put forward a number of recommendations and suggestions that should be taken into consideration when teaching science, and when devising methods courses for pre-servics teachers, such as using critical questions method, and teacher training on the preparation and formulation of the questions with higher cognitive levels.