This study examined the efficacy of seeking and substituting or adding scientific terms for
developing hypotheses in general chemistry laboratory classes in college, and whether the
strategy enhances creative and critical thinking skills. Ten activities of making hypotheses by
this method were presented to students over one semester. The experimental group showed a
statistically meaningful improvement in creative thinking skills(p<.05). In addition, the three
sub-elements of creative thinking skills, i.e., fluency, flexibility and originality, all showed
statistically meaningful improvements(p<.05). Also, there was a significant statistical
improvement in critical thinking skills with respect to inquiry thinking skills(p>.05). The
sub-elements of critical thinking skills, recognition of problems, control of variables, and
transformation and interpretation of data, showed a statistically meaningful improvement
(p<.05), but there was no significant statistical improvement in making conclusion and
generalization(p>.05). This result forms the basis for the future enhancement of creative and
critical thinking skills in general chemistry laboratory classes in college.