Table 3.

Comparisons of Debate Competence Scores in Pretest and Posttests (n=45)

Instrument	Group	Pretest scores		Posttest scores		t
		Mean	SD	Mean	SD
Debate competence	Low	3.26	0.43	3.44	0.53	2.04
	High	3.39	0.38	3.65	0.49	4.09***
	Total	3.33	0.41	3.55	0.51	4.14***
Logical argumentation	Low	3.36	0.53	3.42	0.73	0.58
	High	3.36	0.61	3.57	0.77	3.06**
	Total	3.36	0.57	3.49	0.75	2.29*
Open-minded listening	Low	3.90	0.38	3.86	0.61	-0.35
	High	3.90	0.38	4.00	0.44	1.62
	Total	3.90	0.38	3.94	0.53	0.65
Proficiency in inquiry	Low	3.44	0.44	3.61	0.56	1.54
	High	3.65	0.39	3.88	0.44	3.13**
	Total	3.55	0.42	3.75	0.51	3.09**
Active participation	Low	2.81	0.77	3.09	0.77	2.43*
	High	2.91	0.75	3.31	0.80	4.51***
	Total	2.86	0.75	3.20	0.79	4.75***
Prompt response	Low	2.67	0.64	2.75	0.70	0.64
	High	2.74	0.65	2.94	0.73	1.72
	Total	2.71	0.64	2.85	0.71	1.68
Ability to investigate and analyze	Low	3.13	0.59	3.51	0.53	3.22**
	High	3.33	0.43	3.76	0.53	4.27***
	Total	3.23	0.52	3.64	0.54	5.32***
Observance to debate rules	Low	3.40	0.59	3.68	0.71	1.78
	High	3.62	0.51	3.83	0.63	2.15*
	Total	3.51	0.55	3.76	0.67	2.70**
Acceptability	Low	3.40	0.61	3.61	0.68	1.60
	High	3.63	0.51	3.93	0.52	2.45*
	Total	3.52	0.57	3.78	0.62	2.88**

SD: Standard deviation.

^*p<0.5,

^**p<0.01,

^***p<0.001.