We know that what and how people think about important issues is an important driver of how they act. The UFCTI measures critical thinking style (the way critical thinking is expressed, performed, or done by an individual) on a continuum between two styles: seeking information and engagement.
While critical thinking has been defined by many researchers, one of the simplest definitions was provided by Norris and Ennis (1989) declaring that critical thinking is the “reasonable and reflective thinking that is focused upon deciding what to believe or do” (p. 18).
The UFCTI is a short, 20-item, inventory that takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. In the UFCTI, each participant is assigned an overall critical thinking style score, ranging from 26-130, with a high score signifying a style that seeks information when thinking critically and a low score signifying a style that engages when thinking critically. Ideally, the ultimate critical thinker would have a high score in both areas, exhibiting an interest and ability to engage in both styles when thinking critically.
The UFCTI has been extensively pilot tested and compared to other cognitive instruments for validity and reliability purposes. It is currently being used in multiple research studies. If you would like to use the UFCTI for educational or research purposes, please feel free to contact the National Public Policy Evaluation Center or the Center for Public Issues Education.
The UFCTI description offers a short overview of critical thinking, the UFCTI, constructs for the inventory, validity and reliability estimates.