WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING?

"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" (Scriven, 1996 ). Critical thinking is the process or method of thinking that questions assumptions.

Characteristic of critical thinking

Dispositions: Critical thinkers are skeptical, open-minded, value fairmindedness, respect evidence and reasoning. Argument: Is a statement or proposition with supporting evidence. Reasoning: The ability to infer a conclusion from one or multiple premises. Point of View: The way one views the world, which shapes one's construction of meaning. Procedures for Applying Criteria: asking questions, making judgments, and identifying assumptions.

Critical Thinking

VS
Critical Reading
-discovering -terms must be clearly defined -evidence must be presented -common knowledge must be accounted for -exceptions must be explained -causes must be shown to precede effects and to be capable of the effect -conclusions must be shown to follow logically from earlier arguments and evidence

-evaluating the evidence upon which that conclusion is based.

-not necessarily being "critical" and negative -a specific topic must be addressed -The result of evaluation can range from positive to negative, from acceptance to rejection or anything in-between. -In productive problem solving we generate ideas (by creativity) and evaluate ideas (by criticality).

Habits of mind for Critical Thinker

Point of ViewFrom what point of view is the topic being approached? EvidenceWhat evidence is being used to support the argument? ConnectionsHow are ideas connected within the topic and to other topics? AlternativesWhat alternative viewpoints are there? SignificanceWhy is this topic important?

Skills of CT

Critical thinking calls for the ability to: Recognize problems, to find workable means for meeting those problems Understand the importance of prioritization and order of precedence in problem solving Gather relevant information Recognize unstated assumptions and values

conts...

Comprehend and use language with accuracy, clarity, and discernment Interpret data, to appraise evidence and evaluate arguments Recognize the existence (or non-existence) of logical relationships between propositions Draw warranted conclusions and generalizations Put to test the conclusions and generalizations at which one arrives Reconstruct one's patterns of beliefs on the basis of wider experience Render accurate judgments about specific things and qualities in everyday life

MELTABRC thinking tool-Seaton High

School in South Australia

MWhat are the authors/presenters Main points? EWhat Evidence or Examples does the author/presenter provide? LTWhat Language/Techniques does the author/presenter use in his or her line of thinking? AWhat Assumptions does the author/presenter make? BWhat Biases does the author/presenter show in his or her line of thinking? RHow Relevant is this information? CHow Credible is the author/presenter? What might the Consequences be if the readers (or listeners, or viewers) believed the author/presenter?

Critical Thinking Case Study

I. Problem Identification Faith Community Hospital has two main problems that need to be addressed. The first is the increased costs associated with normal operations. The second is the inconsistency with which the staff and partners interpret and follow the hospitals policies and procedures. These two problems are snowballing into areas that are intertwined by nature. They cross boundaries into finance, ethics, employee morale, and partner relations.

STEPS
1)Criteria, Goal, and Objective Definition-problem of increased
costs, the hospitals basic business structure needs to be reviewed.

2)Problem Effects-financial obligations, there is only one choice and that

would be to close its doors.

3)Problem Cause-decrease in patient population. 4)Alternative-generate enough revenue to continue its operations(negotiate fixed 5)Decision / Solution-cut expenses 6)Decision Implementation / Rationale for Decision-undergo a staff
reduction program costs, cut costs where needed, reevaluate its current cost to customer, and investigate its competition to see if it can win patients to increase patient population)