Effect of AI Critical Appraisal Training on Critical Thinking in Nursing Students

NCT07538986 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Chengdu Medical College
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 400
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is a cluster randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the impact of the "AI Critical Thinking Training" teaching method on the critical thinking, AI literacy, and clinical reasoning abilities of undergraduate nursing students. Random allocation methods (such as the coin-tossing method) were used to randomly assign eligible classes as a whole to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group received AI critical thinking training (using AI to analyze cases and annotate their errors), while the control group received the same amount of time in traditional case-based teaching. The research tools included the Chinese version of the Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory, the AI Literacy Scale, the Clinical Reasoning Scale, and a standardized case analysis scoring sheet. Data collection was conducted twice, before the experiment (pre-test) and after the experiment (post-test). The protocol was based on mature educational theories, with a clear process and extremely low risk, demonstrating good scientific and feasibility. During the research process, if the participants felt any discomfort, they could immediately request to stop the research and withdraw from the study.

Conditions

Healthy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Critical Thinking Disposition

  Measured by the Chinese version of the Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CTDI-CV). The scale has 70 items, each rated on a 6-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree to 6=strongly agree). Total score ranges from 70 to 420. Higher scores indicate a stronger disposition toward critical thinking.

  Baseline and Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in AI Literacy

  Baseline and Week 8

• Changes in clinical reasoning ability

  Baseline and Week 8

• Case Analysis Performance

  Week 8

Study Arms (2)

AI Critical Appraisal Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Students use AI tools to analyze surgical nursing cases and submit annotated reports identifying errors in AI-generated answers with justifications.

Behavioral: Traditional Case-Based Learning

Traditional Case-Based Learning

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Students receive the same cases but use traditional methods (textbooks, group discussion) without AI tools.

Behavioral: AI Critical Appraisal Training

Interventions

AI Critical Appraisal Training BEHAVIORAL

Over 8 weeks, students complete 4 case assignments. For each case, they interact with an AI tool, screenshot the full dialogue, and then critically annotate the AI's responses: identify at least 3 errors or debatable points, provide corrected answers with evidence from textbooks, and write a brief reflection.

Traditional Case-Based Learning

Traditional Case-Based Learning BEHAVIORAL

Over the same 8 weeks, students analyze identical surgical nursing cases by consulting printed and electronic resources (excluding AI). They submit written answers to case questions and a personal reflection, and declare no AI use.

AI Critical Appraisal Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• All full-time undergraduate nursing students currently enrolled, who are willing to participate in this study

You may not qualify if:

• Did not complete the survey questionnaire and did not take the final exam.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Xi Cao: lead

Study Sites (1)

Chengdu Medical College

Chengdu, Sichuan, 610000, China

Location

Central Study Contacts

Xi Cao

CONTACT

+8613808033721; cx996523712@163.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 6, 2026
• First Posted: April 20, 2026
• Study Start: April 7, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 7, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 2, 2027
• Last Updated: April 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)