The Correlation of Critical Thinking Disposition and Achievement Goal Orientation with Student Entrepreneurial Characteristics

Introduction: One of the most important goals of universities across the world is to train entrepreneur graduates. Therefore, special attention should be given to variables that can affect entrepreneurial characteristics. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation of critical thinking disposition and achievement goal orientation with student entrepreneurial characteristics. Methods: The statistical population of this descriptive-correlational research consisted of all undergraduate students of nursing and midwifery and paramedical faculties at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2015-2016 academic years. The sample included 307 subjects who were selected through proportionate stratified random sampling (based on the faculty). Research tools were critical thinking disposition (Ricketts, 2003) and achievement goal orientation (Elliot & McGregor, 2001) questionnaires, and entrepreneurial characteristics scale (Kordnaeej et al, 2006). Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression. Results: Findings showed that the mean of student entrepreneurial characteristics traits were at a very strong level (356.11±31.79). The correlation of critical thinking disposition (r= 0.357, p≤ 0.01) and achievement goal orientation (r= 0.306, p≤0.01) with characteristics of entrepreneurship was found to be significant. The components creativity (βeta=0.431) and cognitive maturity (βeta=0.348) of critical thinking disposition, and mastery-tendency (βeta=0.428) and mastery-avoidance (βeta=0.296) of achievement goal orientation were predictors of students’ entrepreneurial characteristics. Conclusion: Results showed that critical thinking disposition and achievement goal orientation were significantly correlated with entrepreneurship characteristics. Therefore, considering the educability of entrepreneurship, these two variables should be taken into account in developing educational programs for entrepreneurship.