The Effect of Performing Reading Activities with Critical Reading Questions on Critical Thinking and Reading Skills

Abstract

The 21st century individual should be able to access information and critically evaluate and interpret it. What creates this obligation is the information bombing and political and commercial perception management brought about by virtual networks, the media and globalization. Therefore, critical thinking and its sub-component, critical reading, are becoming more and more important because they are the assistants of the individual who has to distinguish right from wrong and the truth from propaganda in life and texts. The aim of this study is to reveal the effect of performing reading activities with critical reading questions developed by the researchers on critical thinking and reading skills, and to pave the way for further research in this area. Study sample consisted of 232 students of Ağrı Ibrahim Çeçen University in the academic year of 2016-2017. Participants were recruited using random sampling technique. This was a mixed design study. The qualitative dimension of the study was based on a screening model. Data were collected using document review and interview methods, and were analyzed using content analysis. The quantitative dimension of the study was based on a quasi-experimental model. Data were collected using a Critical Thinking Self-Evaluation Form and a Critical Reading Scale (pre-test-post-test) before and after a 7-week application. Data were analyzed using a statistical software package. T-test and ANOVA were used for analysis. Results show that reading activities with critical reading questions have a statistically significant effect on students’ critical thinking and reading skills. Qualitative data also support these results.

Needs Analysis of Development of Critical Thinking Skills Assessment Instruments on Vocational School English Subjects

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A meta-synthesis study on the effect of critical thinking on improving language skills

“…Therefore, students need to be exposed to reading strategies related to higher levels of knowledge in the cognitive domain (Nasrollahi et al, 2015). Furthermore, the results of a study by Yildirim and Söylemez (2018) show that reading activities with critical reading questions have a statistically significant effect on both students' critical thinking and reading skills (Yildirim and Söylemez, 2018). In a study, Fahim et al (2010) investigated the relationship between test takers' critical thinking ability and their performance on the reading section of TOEFL, and their findings indicated a statistically significant advantage for those with greater critical thinking skills.…”

Using PQ4R Strategy to Develop Critical Reading Skills and Increase Motivation for Learning English for Preparatory School Underachieving Pupils

“…So, readers need to critically retrieve and select suitable information before accommodating its content. (Par, 2018, p. 161) Moreover, Yildirim and Soylemez (2018) pointed out that critical reading is a key skill learners have in this century. In progressively sophisticated technological developments, it permits learners to access many readings from various media.…”