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- Brooke L. Solberg, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM⇑
- Address for Correspondence: Brooke L. Solberg, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, 501 N. Columbia Road Stop 9037, UND SMHS Department of Pathology, Grand Forks, ND 58202, 701-777-224, brooke.solberg{at}med.und.edu
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the value of critical thinking skills in predicting American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) exam scores for the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) category. Existing data for undergraduate students in an accredited MLS program during the years of 2009-2012 were examined. Specifically, scores from a Critical Thinking Exercise (CTE) administered during the application process, along with Grade Point Average (GPA), Science Grade Point Average (SGPA), and ASCP BOC exam and subsection scores were analyzed. Results suggest that the CTE is a weak to negligible predictor of ASCP BOC exam performance (r=0.113), while GPA and SGPA are stronger, statistically significant predictors (r=0.358; r=0.428; p<.05). Although critical thinking skills did not significantly predict ASCP BOC exam scores, other implications for their predictive utility exist and are discussed in light of the findings from this and other existing studies within the health professions.
ABBREVIATIONS: MLS-medical laboratory science/scientist; ASCP-American Society for Clinical Pathology; BOC-Board of Certification; NAACLS-National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences; GPA-Grade Point Average; CTE-Critical Thinking Exercise; SGPA-Science Grade Point Average; NCLEX-RN-National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse
- © Copyright 2015 American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Inc. All rights reserved.
