Teacher candidates' critical thinking tendencies research in Turkey: A content analysis

Abstract

In this study, empirical studies related to the tendency think critically of teacher candidates in Turkey were examined. These studies were evaluated systematically by means of thematic content analysis. In research the WEB OF SCIENCES, ERIC, SCOPUS, EBSCO and ULAKBIM databases were scanned for the years 2012-2017, and 45 academic articles were examined. It was found out that studies are concentrated in the screening and relational model and work in a limited number of experimental models. Furthermore, it was observed that the relationships between individual variables and the tendencies of critical thinking were positive and significant. Some findings reached the conclusion that experimental intervention programs are effective. Teacher candidates' critical thinking tendencies were generally low. In addition to the studies, common findings on whether socio-demographic variables make a difference were rarely encountered.