Critical Thinking

A Definition

"Critical thinking is that mode of thinking — about any subject, content, or problem — in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it. Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities, as well as a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism."

The Foundation for Critical Thinking 2019

https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-conception-of-critical-thinking/411

Ask Simple Questions –

• Whose viewpoint is being expressed?
• What is the point of the information?
• Whose is the intended audience?
• Why is this information being presented?
• Is the information facts or opinions?
• Is the information current or historical?
• Is the information relevant? Does it expand your knowledge?

Read more –

• When reading you need to actively engage as you read.
  • examine what you are reading
  • ask questions
  • reflect
• Read articles, books, newspapers, and different authors on a topic. Do not just choose one article and agree or copy.  Have your own ideas on a subject.  Does every author agree, provide the same information on a topic, or are there some conflicting views or information. 
• What is the same/What is different in the material information you are reading.
• Form your own thoughts on a topic by all that you have read. 
  • What do you agree with/What do you not agree with?
  • Did you learning something new and was it helpful.

Be Aware of Bias

Research Bias: Occurs when ‘systematic error is introduced into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over others.

Bias can occur at any phase of research, including study design, data collection, as well as data analysis.

Types of Bias: Media example

• Partisan Bias: A type of bias in which a journalists political views affect news coverage.
• Corporate Bias: A type of bias in which businesses or advertising interests of a news outlet, or its parent company, influence how – or even whether – a story is reported.
• Demographic Bias: A type of bias in which race, gender, ethnicity or other factors – such as culture or economic class – affect news coverage.
• “Big Story” bias: A type of bias in which journalists’ perceptions of an event or development as a major, important story can cause them to miss key details and misrepresent key facts.
• Neutrality Bias: A type of bias in which a journalist or new outlet tries so hard to avoid appearing based that the coverage actually misrepresents the facts.

They can take any number of Forms:

• Absence of fairness and balance: The failure of straight news report to present all relevant viewpoints on an event or issue in an accurate impartial way.
• Framing: The way that journalists approach and organize a story, which can affect what it emphasizes.
• Tone: The use of words and phrases that affect the audience’s perception of the issue or event being covered.
• Story Selection: The process that news outlets use to decide what issues and events to cover.
• Flawed Sourcing: A straight news report that neglects to include all of the people, organizations, documents and other providers of information that are needed to make the reposting accurate, fair and comprehensive.

Pace University LibGuides-Types of Bias  https://libguides.pace.edu/c.php?g=63918&p=410839#s-lg-box-25383807

News Literacy Project - Five Types of Bias https://newslit.org/educators/resources/understanding-bias/

Challenge Common Assumptions:

Question Assumptions:

            An assumption is an unexamined belief: what we think without realizing we think it. Our inferences (conclusions) are often based on assumptions that we haven’t thought about critically. A critical thinker, however, is attentive to these assumptions because they are sometimes incorrect or misguided. Just because we assume something is true doesn’t mean it is.

Think carefully about your assumptions when finding and analyzing information but also think carefully about the assumptions of others. Whether you’re looking at a website or scholarly article, you should always consider the authors assumptions. Are the authors conclusions based on assumptions that he or she hasn’t thought about logically?

Critical questions:

1. What am I taking for granted?
2. Am I assuming something I shouldn’t?
3. How can I determine whether this assumption is accurate?
4. What is this author missing?
5. How can I determine if this authors assumptions are accurate?

Definitions

“Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness.”
The Critical Thinking Community, http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766, accessed 04/16/2012.

"A critical thinker is someone who uses particular criteria to evaluate reasoning, form positions, and make decisions." (from Becoming a critical thinker 5th ed., Sherry Diestler, 2009) 

"Critical thinking is a complex process of deliberation which involves a wide range of skills and attitudes. It includes:

• identifying other people's positions, arguments and conclusions;
• evaluating the evidence for alternative points of view;
• weighing up opposing arguments and evidence fairly;
• being able to read between the lines, seeing behind surfaces, and identifying false or unfair assumptions;
• recognizing techniques used to make certain positions more appealing than others. such as false logic and persuasive devices;
• reflecting on issues in a structured way, bringing logic and insight to bear;
• drawing conclusions about whether arguments are valid and justifiable, based on good evidence and sensible assumptions;
• presenting a point of view in structured, clear, well-reasoned way that convinces others."

(from Critical thinking skills, Stella Cottrell, 2005)

"Components of critical thinking

1. Identifying and challenging assumptions is central to critical thinking
2. Challenging the importance of context is crucial to critical thinking

3. Critical thinkers try to imagine and explore alternatives

4. Imagining and exploring alternatives leads to reflective skepticism"