Influence of critical thinking and problem-solving skills on the academic results of students of college of economics - Can Tho University

Abstract

This study aims at analyzing the influence of critical thinking and problem-solving skills on students’ learning outcomes based on primary data collected from 291 students from College of Economics - Can Tho University. The results from OLS regression provide statistical evidence that three groups of factors measuring critical thinking (including enthusiasm, cognitive maturity, innovation) and three groups of factors measuring problem solving skills (including confidence in problem solving, approach style - avoid, ability to self-control when solving problems) have positive effects on student performance. This result implies that in order to improve learning outcomes, students should actively improve their practice of critical thinking ability and improve their problem-solving skills. In order to be able to solve the arising problems well, students should have an overview of a problem from both inside and outside consideration, together with relevant information and a solid rationale. This will give students more confidence to come up with more effective solutions.