AN ANALYSIS OF THE ABILITY OF THE THIRD YEAR STUDENTS AT HIGHER LEVEL THINKING IN READING COMPREHENSION AT ENGLISH DEPARTMENT OF BUNG HATTA UNIVERSITY

Abstrak

This research was to study the third year students’ ability at higher level  thinking in reading comprehension at English Department of Bung Hatta University. In this research, the population was the third year students of English Department of Bung Hatta University. The number of population was 112 students. The researcher used cluster random sampling technique to get representative sample.The instrumentation used to get the data was reading test in the form of multiple choice of critical thinking. The researcher used Split-Half method and Pearson Product Moment Formula. After that, the result of correlation coefficient was analyzed by using Spearman-Brown formula. The result of this study showed that in general the third year students of English Department of Bung Hatta University had ability to think critically in reading comprehension especially in higher level of thinking skill (analysis level, synthesis level and evaluation level). Students can comprehend the text. It was found 5 students (20,8%) had high ability, 16 students (66,7%) had moderate ability and 3 students (12,5%) had low ability. At analysis level, it was found 5 students (20,8) had high ability, 13 students (54,2%) had moderate ability and 6 students (25%) had low ability. At synthesis level, it was found 5 students (20,8%) had high ability, 16 students (66,7%) had moderate ability, and 3 students (12,5%) had low ability. At evaluation level, it was found 3 students (12,5%) had high ability,17 students (70,84%) had moderate ability and 4 students (16,7%) had low ability.

Key words: Reading, Critical Thinking, Ability.