Exploring the different trajectories of analytical thinking ability factors: An application of the second-order growth curve factor model

Abstract

The purposes of this study were 1) Compare analytical thinking ability by testing the same sets of students 5 times 2) Develop and verify whether analytical thinking ability of students corresponds to second-order growth curve factors model. Samples were 1,093 eighth-grade students. The results revealed that 1) Analytical thinking ability scores of 5 tests are significantly different at .01 level and the means score rises consecutively 2) Second-order growth curve factors model of analytical thinking ability for the analysis of elements and analysis of organizational principles corresponds to piecewise growth model while the analysis of relationship corresponds to linear growth model, and that second- order growth curve factors model of analytical thinking ability is in accord with empirical evidence.