Critical thinking as a mediator between metacognition and creative problem solving in Zanjan University of Medical Sciences students; academic year 98-97

Metacognition and critical thinking are some of the factors that can help students to solve difficult problems. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the relationship between these factors and creative problem solving. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the mediating role of critical thinking in the relationship between metacognition and creative problem solving among students of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences in 1997-98.

This was a descriptive-correlational study. The statistical population was all PhD students in Zanjan University of Medical Sciences in the academic year of 1997-96. The sample size was 311 students using Morgan method and were selected by stratified random sampling. Of the 275, 167 (60.7%) were male and 108 (39.3%) female. Data were collected using Wells & Cartwrightchr('39')s Metacognition Questionnaires (2004), Baser Creative Problem Solving (2004) and Rickets Critical Thinking Questionnaire (2003). Data analysis was performed by using Pearson correlation and multiple regression tests in SPSS 24 software. The four-step method of Baron and Kenny was used to determine the mediator role.

The results showed that there is a relationship between metacognition and creative problem solving (P<0.05). In addition, metacognition can significantly explain creative problem solving in students (P<0.05). The mediating role of critical thinking in the relationship between metacognition and creative problem solving was also confirmed in this study.

Meta-cognition can explain creative problem solving in students. Critical thinking also strengthens the relationship between the two variables of metacognition and creative problem solving in students.