The effect of the interaction between crowdsourced style and cognitive style on developing research and scientific thinking skills

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effect of the interaction between crowdsourcing style and cognitive style on the development of research and scientific thinking skills among postgraduate students at Alexandria University, by designing an e-learning environment. The current research used an experimental approach with a quasi-experimental design. The research sample consisted of a random sample of 80 postgraduate students who were specializing in mathematics, educational technology, and other areas at the Faculty of Education. The measurement tools consisted of an achievement test, the observation card, cognitive style scale, and scientific thinking scale. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA analysis of variance. The results showed that there was a significant difference between crowdsourcing patterns (collaborative/competitive) in favor of the collaborative pattern. There was a significant difference between cognitive style (focusing/scanning) in favor of students who adopted the focusing style. There was a significant effect on the interaction between crowdsourcing patterns and cognitive style for each of the cognitive aspects of research skills in global databases through the e-learning environment based on the crowdsourcing pattern, the observation card of students’ performance of those skills, and their scientific thinking. The researchers recommend benefiting from the results of the current research in the design of e-learning environments based on crowdsourced (competitive/collaborative) in general, and crowdsourced collaborative in particular because of their impact on the development of achievement, practical performance, and scientific thinking.