Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills of Visually Impaired Female National Judo Team Athletes

Sengul Demiral

doi:10.11114/jets.v7i3s.4004

Abstract

A high level of critical thinking and problem-solving skills in visually impaired female national judo team athletes is an important factor in increasing their performance and for their high performance. The aim of this study was to examine critical thinking and problem-solving skills of visually impaired female national judo team athletes. The sample of the study was composed of visually impaired female athletes (n=15) in 2015 national team. A Personal Information Form, the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory and the Problem Solving Inventory were used as data collection tools. The data obtained in this study were analyzed using SPSS 17 software. Evaluation of the data analysis revealed that there was no statistically significant difference among groups in total Problem Solving Inventory and Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory scores in terms of age group or age of starting judo (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship between total problem-solving and total critical thinking disposition scores of athletes (p>0.05). As a result, judo coaches are thought to play an important role in the development of strategies for increasing athletes’ problem-solving and critical thinking skills and in the development of their sporting performance, particularly in the development of high performance.

Highlights

The importance given to thinking skills in education has increased in recent times
It is observed that the critical thinking and problem-solving skills involved in these processes are discussed in this study
When considering studies in the literature that examine the mutual relationships between problem-solving skills and personality traits, it is stated that personality traits have a positive impact (Karabulut & Kuru, 2009)

Summary

Introduction

The importance given to thinking skills in education has increased in recent times. It is stated in the literature that thinking skills can be seen to range from basic to complex, such as remembering, basic thinking, critical thinking and creative thinking. Critical thinking is an effective method in stimulating knowledge generation. Critical thinking is an indispensable part of education (Norris, 1985). A number of definitions of critical thinking have been made by different scientists. They have defined critical thinking as reaching conclusions based on observation and information, or as deciding what we are to believe in and what we are to do (Paul et al, 1989; Lipman, 1988)

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