Levels of Critical Thinking and its relation to Self- Efficacy research among Higher Studies Students of the Education Faculties in Gaza Governorates

Abstract

         This research aimed at examining the levels of critical thinking and its relation to self- efficacy among higher studies students of the education faculties in Gaza universities ( the Islamic University, Al-Azhar and Al-Aqsa Universities). Besides unfolding the differences in the levels of creative thinking attributable to ( sex , major, and university) variables. In addition to investigating whether creative thinking level can predict self –efficacy level .The study sample consisted of ( 90 ) male and female  students. The researchers used  the critical thinking test and self - efficacy scale .The research  results showed that the degree of critical thinking among the sample group is below the acceptable average. As it became as low as (56% ) which is not educationally acceptable. Besides, there were no statistically significant differences in creative thinking level attributable to the study variables. Additionally , critical thinking can not predict research self – efficacy relation .

The study recommended working to raise the level of research self-efficacy among graduate students to reach the level of mastery, and train the faculty members of education to teach critical thinking skills. Besides, university education should pay much more attention to the skills of inference, evaluation, and analysis in particular, and thinking skills in general.