New SCAMPERS

Reclassifying and redefining thinking skills

Abstract

It has long been known that the SCAMPER checklist is a useful tool for developing creative thinking. However, the meanings of some words might change based on the different interpretations of the users. Here we aimed to reorganize this model to avoid placing different thinking directions into the same category. We designed a new checklist, including Substitute, Combine, Adjust, Modify, Permute, Eliminate, Repurpose, and Size, and renamed it NEW SCAMPERS. Using a questionnaire, we tested the participants’ understanding of the checklist’s meanings and its application. We recruited 194 students from three campuses and analyzed 191 completed answers. We found that students can comprehend the new classified category, and most do well on the application inspection. Thus, the new checklist was proven to be an appropriate technique for group creative thinking.