Factor structure stability of the California critical thinking disposition inventory across sex and various students' majors

The factor structure of the 1992 California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory and its stability across sex and different types of college majors were examined in this exploratory study. Participants mere 499 undergraduate students (151 men, 342 women, missing data=6) at a four-year mid-Atlantic public university, ranging in age from 18 to 54 years (M=23.3). Students were enrolled in majors classifled as practice disciplines (nursing, education, and business) and nonpractice disciplines (English, history, and psychology). The inventory, a 75-item, forced-choice adjective checklist scale, yields seven subscores and a total score assessing the disposition toward critical thinking. Analysis indicated that, despite the small sample,the generated factor structure of the inventory was highly stable or similar for men and women for Factors I (Facione, et al. Truth-seeking) and II (Facione, ei al. Open-mindedness) and was moderately stable for Factors IV (Facione, ei al. Systematicity) and V (Facione, et al. Confidence). Factors III (Analyticity), VI (Inquisitiveness), and VII (Maturity) were not stable. For practice and nonpractice disciplines and for major, only Factor I was stable. The findings suggest further refinement of the inventory.