Critical Thinking as a Predictor of Certification Exam Performance in Medical Laboratory Science

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the value of critical thinking skills in predicting American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) exam scores for the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) category. Existing data for undergraduate students in an accredited MLS program during the years of 2009-2012 were examined. Specifically, scores from a Critical Thinking Exercise (CTE) administered during the application process, along with Grade Point Average (GPA), Science Grade Point Average (SGPA), and ASCP BOC exam and subsection scores were analyzed. Results suggest that the CTE is a weak to negligible predictor of ASCP BOC exam performance (r=0.113), while GPA and SGPA are stronger, statistically significant predictors (r=0.358; r=0.428; p<.05). Although critical thinking skills did not significantly predict ASCP BOC exam scores, other implications for their predictive utility exist and are discussed in light of the findings from this and other existing studies within the health professions.

Exploration of Metacognitive Skills And Student Critical Thinking Through Discovery Learning Method and Cognitive Style

“…The research found an improvement in critical thinking skills when using metacognitive learning strategies through online courses. Solberg (2015) and Nilgun (2016) also conducted a research on critical thinking skill, in which he found that critical thinking greatly improved the results and learning process in science classes. Lestari, et al (2019) and Wongsila, et al (2019) proved that metacognitive skill became one of the solutions in solving learning problems in biology classroom.…”

“…The studies also had not yet express the importance of developing both metacognitive and critical thinking skills for pre-service elementary school teachers' learning (Halil, 2015;Solberg, 2015;Lestari et al, 2019;Hui Fang, 2016;Wongsila et al, 2019). At universities, especially the classes for pre-service elementary school teachers, there have not been much developments on promoting and encouraging the skills of metacognitive and critical thinking.…”

Quality of life and its influence on the academic performance of Medical Laboratory students in Wyoming

“…19 An earlier study indicated that MLS requires critical thinking in addressing the numerous challenges and understanding the intricate details of the profession. 20 Based on the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), the essential functions of a medical laboratory scientist covers academic performance, cognitive and intellectual abilities, communication, ethical standards, observation, psychomotor skills, and social and behavioral attributes. 21 Consequently, in the context that laboratory medicine is regarded as a stressful program and considering the absence of relevant studies that measure the QOL of MLS and MLT students which correlate it with their academic performance, it is befitting to conduct this study.…”