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The Cognitive Reflection Test and Numeracy as a Predictor of Students’ Choice of Major in Undergraduate Programs

Mostafa Deldoost, Parviz Mohammadzadeh, Mohammad Taghi Saeedi, Akram Akbari

Abstract


Currently, choosing a field of study is one of the most important decisions people make. In this regard, the existence of individual differences can affect the decision-making process, as several studies have shown the influence of cognitive bias on how indi viduals make decisions and employ the process of judgment, which depend on their cognitive abilities. The purpose of this study is to examine the predictive features of the Cognitive Reflection Test and numeracy skills for the probability of choosing a field of study for first-year college students at University of Tabriz. For this purpose, by using a simple random sampling method, a number of 117 freshmen from the faculties of Medicine, Engineering, Humanities, and Economics at the University of Tabriz were selected, and two cognitive reflection and numeracy tests were conducted with them. The results of the regression analysis showed that higher CRT and numeracy have a positive and significant effect on choosing a field in engineering and pharmacy faculties.


Keywords


Cognitive Reflection Test; College students; Field of study; Numeracy; Prediction

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.7358/ecps-2019-019-deld

Copyright (©) 2019 Mostafa Deldoost, Parviz Mohammadzadeh, Mohammad Taghi Saeedi, Akram Akbari – Editorial format and Graphical layout: copyright (©) LED Edizioni Universitarie



 


Journal of Educational, Cultural and Psychological Studies (ECPS)
Registered by Tribunale di Milano (19/05/2010 n. 278)
Online ISSN 2037-7924 - Print ISSN 2037-7932

Research Laboratory on Didactics and Evaluation - Department of Education - "Roma Tre" University


Executive Editor: Gaetano Domenici - Associate Executive Editor & Managing  Editor: Valeria Biasci
Editorial Board: Eleftheria Argyropoulou - Massimo Baldacci - Joao Barroso - Richard Bates - Christofer Bezzina - Paolo Bonaiuto - Lucia Boncori - Pietro Boscolo - Sara Bubb  - Carlo Felice Casula - Jean-Émile Charlier - Lucia Chiappetta Cajola - Carmela Covato - Jean-Louis Derouet - Peter Early - Franco Frabboni - Constance Katz - James Levin - Pietro Lucisano  - Roberto Maragliano - Romuald Normand - Michael Osborne - Donatella Palomba - Michele Pellerey - Clotilde Pontecorvo - Vitaly V. Rubtzov - Jaap Scheerens - Noah W. Sobe - Francesco Susi - Giuseppe Spadafora - Pat Thomson
Editorial Staff: Fabio Alivernini - Guido Benvenuto - Anna Maria Ciraci - Massimiliano Fiorucci - Luca Mallia - Massimo Margottini - Giovanni Moretti - Carla Roverselli 
Editorial Secretary:
Nazarena Patrizi 


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