Previous research in the field of speech has indicated that critical thinking can be improved through training in discussion, debate, argumentation, and the basic speech class. Critical thinking has also been related to fluency in extemporaneous speaking. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that there is no significant difference between students' grades in Speech 210 and their scores on the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal. Can the Watson-Glaser Test predict the students' grades in a public speaking class? The hypothesis is also treated with respect to sex, class, selected majors, and delayed acceptance and regular students.The study employed seven statistical tests: the Kruskal-Wallis Rank Test of Significance, the Chi Square Test for Two Independent Samples, the Fisher Exact Probability Test, the Median Test, the T Test for Unmatched Pairs, and the Chi Square Test for "Goodness of Fit" with (a) expected values equal and (b) expected values unequal. The teats, programmed on a Monroe 1766 electronic calculator, were applied to the five null hypotheses. The tests indicate significant correlations in two areas: Watson-Glaser raw scores with respect to psychology majors and marketing majors, and Watson-Glaser raw scores with respect to delayed acceptance and selected sample students. No statistically significant correlation was found between Watson-Glaser scores and final grades given in Speech 210 as a whole, class, sex, and selected majors.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/180528 |
| Date | January 1972 |
| Creators | Friedley, Sheryl Ann |
| Contributors | Shepard, David W. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | vii, 82 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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