Learning Objective #1: Identify the impact of faculty behavior on baccalureate nursing student thinking predispositions and type of thinking

Learning Objective #2: Explore the use of strucural equation modeling as both a research design and statistical analysis

---

The Educational Development Model of Thinking (EDMT) was developed by this researcher for nurse educators to use when designing classroom and clinical learning experiences to engage nursing students in creative thinking. The framework provides a model within which nurse educators can design instructional strategies that stimulate specific patterns of thinking. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the theoretical propositions of the Theory of Faculty Influence on Student Thinking (FIOST), derived from the EDMT. FIOST proposed that faculty behaviors influence student thinking predisposition through reinforcement of that predisposition which is a catalyst for a pattern of thinking (creative, critical, or routine). A pilot study (N=29) evaluated data collection procedures and produced alpha coefficients for the study instruments. A sample of generic baccalaureate nursing students (N=159)was found to be adequate to achieve a small effect size (.07) and power of .80 (p = .05). SEM using AMOS 4.0 was used to analyze the original recursive model for goodness of fit. Maximum likelhood estimation (MLE) resulted in a significant chi-square statistic, X2(9, N=159) = 82.05, p<.001, suggesting that modification of the model would result in a better fit. This suggestion was supported by a Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) <.95 and Root mean error of approximation >.60. Modification of the model by removing non-significant paths created a simple recursive model. MLE of the new model resulted in a non-significant chi-square statistic, X2(1, N = 159) = .90, suggesting a good fit for the model. The findings lend beginning support to the theoretical proposition of FIOST that faculty behavior that reinforces the student thinking predisposition of integrity is a catalyst for critical thinking.