The Role of Sudoku and Crossword Puzzles in Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills of Education Researchers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ijoe.2026v14i4.58444Keywords:
critical thinking, cognitive skills, sudoku, crossword puzzles, problem solving, researchersAbstract
Researchers worldwide need critical thinking. Critical thinking helps researchers think critically, act logically, analyze information, and generate new ideas. Sudoku and crossword puzzles can be considered cognitive-stimulating exercises to enhance critical thinking skills. This qualitative study, based on a phenomenological approach, has selected 8 researchers who habitually play sudoku and crossword puzzles and who conduct their research in education and related fields from the Department of Education, Alagappa University. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The results of the study assured that sudoku and crossword puzzles serve as tools for enhancing logical reasoning, creativity, vocabulary, and problem-solving persistence, and the study also found challenges, such as time constraints, puzzle difficulty, and inconsistent practice. Participants suggested integrating puzzles like sudoku and crosswords into a professional development program for cognitive and emotional development.
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Copyright (c) 2026 J. Jenita Maria Teresa, A. Catherin Jayanthy, MS. Bhuvaneswari
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