Comparing the Efficacy of Portfolio and Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) Model, on Nursing Students Disposition Toward Critical Thinking

Introduction: Given the importance of nursing education and evaluation and the need to make correct decisions in critical situations by students also to promote critical thinking in nursing students, researcher decided to assess efficacy of clinical evaluation  by  two methods of direct observation of procedural skills and portfolio on critical thinking of students. Methods:  in this interventional study 32 Students of the 5 th semester of the Bachelor of Nursing, Khomein College of Nursing which divided into two groups with pre- test &   post- test  participated  in 2013  . At the beginning, critical thinking disposition questionnaire ( CTDI) was completed  by students.  Then, Class was divided into two groups randomly . In each group, one of the evaluation methods containing Portfolio and Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) was executed. At last critical thinking disposition questionnaire again was completed and results were evaluated. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and independent t- test through SPSS. Results: The results showed that the total score of tendency to critical thinking in the portfolio group was as follow: before the evaluation  method (240/97±21/25) and after the evaluation method (266/50±21/32),also, in the direct observation skill group before evaluation (242/17±20/85) and after evaluation was (248/17±18/24). There are statistically significant differences between the two groups and in the portfolio evaluation group this difference was greater (P≤0/001). This difference is also significant in all subgroups of truth-seeking, critique, analytical power, organizational power, self-confidence, search, and growth. (P =0/001). Conclusion: According to the results of the study, tendency to critical thinking in portfolio method shows significantly different so, it is suggested portfolio with  high executive capabilities, identical and valid method in critical thinking of nursing students  as well as acceptance of professional responsibility in medical sciences is used.