CRITICAL THINKING DISPOSITION AMONG PAKISTANI UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: PSYCHOMETRIC PROFILES FOR YOON’S CRITICAL THINKING DISPOSITION INSTRUMENT

Abstract

This research aims to validate Yoon's Critical Thinking Disposition (YCTD) instrument in the context of Pakistan by examining its cross-
sectional and construct validity, as well as its measurement invariance across different subgroups (male/female). The study
involved a sample of 390 postgraduate university students from Pakistan. The findings were compared to previous research efforts
conducted by Shin et al. (2015), Yang et al. (2009), and Yoon (2008). The results confirmed the validity of the seven-factor model of the YCTD and provided evidence of its reliability, as indicated by Cronbach's alpha values exceeding 0.50. The item composite reliability values further supported the validity of the instrument. The factor loadings and significant differences in correlation coefficients
between the subscales provided strong evidence for the distinctiveness of the seven subscales. The measurement invariance
analyses demonstrated that the instrument is invariant across different genders in the context of Pakistan, indicating its suitability for comparing critical thinking disposition levels. Additionally, the study emphasized the importance of promoting and measuring critical thinking in the education system, with the YCTD serving as a valuable tool for evaluating interventions and monitoring changes in critical thinking disposition over time. The findings have implications for educators and policymakers, highlighting the need for cultivating critical thinking skills in diverse groups and guiding individual-level interventions based on the specific strengths and weaknesses identified by the YCTD. Overall, this study provides strong evidence supporting the validity and reliability of the YCTD instrument in the Pakistani context.