The International Review of Multidisciplinary Research
Published May 31, 2026 | Version 1.0
Publication Open

Research Competence and Critical Thinking Skills among Elementary Education Students: The Mediating Role of Statistical Literacy

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Initao College

Description

Making sense of data is essential in developing critical thinking among future educators as it connects research competence. This study investigated how statistical literacy mediates the relationship between research competence and critical thinking skills among elementary education students. Anchored on Constructivist Learning Theory, the study employed a quantitative mediation analysis design involving third-year Bachelor of Elementary Education students from Initao College. A validated researcher-developed questionnaire was used to gather data which were then analyzed using correlation and mediation analysis. The findings revealed that students demonstrated high levels of research competence (research knowledge: M = 3.53; research skills: M = 3.40), critical thinking (analytical thinking: M = 3.34; inferential reasoning: M = 3.29), and statistical literacy (statistical understanding: M = 3.36; data interpretation skills: M = 3.29). Using Spearman rho correlation, a significant positive relationship was found between research competence and critical thinking (rs = 0.598, p < 0.001). It indicates that higher research competence is associated with stronger analytical and inferential abilities. Moreover, mediation analysis further revealed that statistical literacy fully mediates this relationship, with a significant indirect effect (a × b = 0.485, p < 0.001) and a non-significant direct effect (c = 0.162, p = 0.169), accounting for 74.9% of the total effect. The study concludes that statistical literacy plays a crucial role in transforming research competence into higher-order thinking skills. In response, PROJECT D.A.T.A. (Developing Analytical Thinking through Applied Statistics) is proposed as an evidence-based training program that integrates research competence and statistical literacy through applied data analysis and structured reporting using the PAIS framework. These findings highlight the importance of integrating statistical literacy within research instruction to enhance students’ capacity for evidence-based reasoning and informed decision-making among future educators.

Files

2026-May_Issue6-IRMR-400-Final Article-Research Competence and Critical Thinking Skills among Elementary Education Students The Mediating Role of Statistical Literacy.pdf

Files (478.7 kB)

Additional details

Additional titles

Alternative title
Research Competence and Critical Thinking Skills among Elementary Education Students

References

  • Castillo-Martínez, I. M., & Ramírez-Montoya, M. S. (2021). Research competencies to develop academic reading and writing: A systematic literature review. Frontiers in Education, 5, 576961. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2020.576961
  • Ciraso-Calí, A., Martínez-Fernández, J. R., París-Mañas, G., Sánchez-Martí, A., & García-Ravidá, L. B. (2022). The research competence: Acquisition and development among undergraduates in education sciences. Frontiers in Education, 7, 836165. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.836165
  • Dwyer, C. P. (2023). An evaluative review of barriers to critical thinking in educational and real-world settings. Journal of Intelligence, 11(6), Article 105. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11060105
  • Fitriadi, F., Herpratiwi, H., Yulianti, D., Setiyadi, A. G. B., Hariri, H., Sunyono, S., Haenilah, E. Y., & Mukhlis, H. (2024). Enhancing critical thinking in elementary education: A systematic review of effective learning models. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 8(6), e2025157. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2025157
  • Katzman, S. D., Carrion, C. A., & Hurst-Kennedy, J. (2024). The impact of primary literature-based, critical thinking activities on competency enhancement for pre-health students. Trends in Higher Education, 3(3), 725–733. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu3030041
  • Koga, S. (2022). Characteristics of statistical literacy skills from the perspective of critical thinking. Teaching Statistics. https://doi.org/10.1111/test.12302
  • Kretchmar, J. (2021). Constructivism. EBSCO Information Services, Inc. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/education/constructivism
  • Kurt, S. (2021). Constructivist Learning Theory. Educational Technology. https://educationaltechnology.net/constructivist-learning-theory/
  • León-Díaz, F., Boude, O., & Vargas-Sanchez, A. (2026). Pedagogical mediation with ICT for the development of critical thinking in primary education: A systematic review. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 60, 102085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2025.102085
  • Mamytbayeva, Z., Kyakbayeva, U., Azimbayeva, D., Kerimbayeva, R., Sarybekova, Z., & Daurenbekov, K. (2022). Formation of research competence of future teacher educators based on the technology of project training. World Journal on Educational Technology: Current Issues, 14(3), 927–939. https://doi.org/10.18844/wjet.v14i3.7319
  • Manassero-Mas, M. A., & Vázquez-Alonso, A. (2025). Las destrezas de pensamiento de docentes en formación: Análisis comparativo con alumnado de primaria (The thinking skills of in-training teachers: A comparative analysis with primary students). Profesorado. Revista de Currículum y Formación de Profesorado, 29(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.30827/profesorado.v29i1.27899
  • Matjašič, M., & Vogrinc, J. (2024). Research competence of pre-service teachers: A systematic literature review. European Journal of Educational Research, 13(2), 877-894. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.13.2.877
  • Matjašič, M., & Vogrinc, J. (2025). Supporting the development of the perceived and actual research competence of pre-service teachers. Education Sciences, 15(6), 652. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15060652
  • Okoli, O. D. (2023). Teachers as researchers: Assessing research literacy levels among pre-service teachers in Nigerian universities. International Journal for Research in Education, 47(5), 289–332. https://doi.org/10.36771/ijre.47.5.23-pp289-332
  • Riwayani, R., Istiyono, E., Supahar, S., Perdana, R., & Soeharto, S. (2024). Analyzing students' statistical literacy skills based on gender, grade, and educational field. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v13i2.26299
  • Salmento, H., Murtonen, M., & Kiley, M. (2021). Understanding teacher education students' research competence through their conceptions of theory. Frontiers in Education, 6, Article 763803. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.763803
  • Suratmi, S., & Sopandi, W. (2022). Knowledge, skills, and attitudes of teachers in training critical thinking of elementary school students. Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 16(3), 291–298. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v16i3.20493
  • Villarin, S. J. B., Lapinig, G. C., Divino, D. G. C., Lumahang, K. P., & Echavez, L. F. J. (2025). Crafting a Responsive Teaching Framework for Data Analysis: A Phenomenological Study on Students' Experiences in Learning Descriptive and Inferential Statistics. Journal of Tertiary Education and Learning, 3(3), 8-22. https://doi.org/10.54536/jtel.v3i3.5483
  • Wongvorachan, T., Srisuttiyakorn, S., & Sriklaub, K. (2024). Optimizing Learning: Predicting Research Competency via Statistical Proficiency. Trends in Higher Education, 3(3), 540-559. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu3030032
  • Yusof, I. J., Abdul Latif, A., & Md Supie, H. S. (2021). Assessing statistical literacy level of postgraduate education research students in Malaysian research universities. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education, 12(5), 1318–1324. https://doi.org/10.17762/turcomat.v12i5.1800