Development and validation of the complex thinking scale for scientific research among Peruvian engineering students

Abstract

Although instruments exist to assess complex thinking in college students, their application has limitations in specific disciplinary contexts, and no validated measure is available specifically to assess this construct in the research training of Peruvian engineering students. This study aimed to develop and validate the Complex Thinking Scale for Scientific Research (CTS-SR) among Peruvian engineering students. An instrumental study was conducted with 506 university students divided into non-overlapping exploratory ( n = 250) and confirmatory ( n = 256) subsamples. The scale was initially developed from a five-dimensional theoretical framework comprising problemsolving, critical analysis, metacognition, systems analysis, and creativity. Exploratory analyses indicated that the initial dimensions converged empirically into two broader, interrelated domains: criticalstrategic reasoning and metacognitive self-regulation with systemic understanding. The final two-factor model comprised 23 items and showed adequate fit in the confirmatory sample (CFI = 0.964; RMSEA = 0.059) and high internal consistency ( ω = 0.944). Complex thinking was positively associated with satisfaction with studies and positive stress and showed a weak negative association with negative stress. The CTS-SR-23 provides preliminary, context-specific psychometric evidence for assessing complex thinking in scientific research among Peruvian engineering students. Because the final model involved additional item refinement within the CFA subsample, the 23-item version has not yet been independently cross-validated. Further validation using the unchanged CTS-SR-23 in independent samples and across academic disciplines and cultural contexts is warranted.