Introduction to critical thinking
In higher education, critical thinking doesn’t mean criticising or finding fault. Instead, it means thinking in-depth about something and you can start to do this by asking lots of questions, for example:
Why? Who? What? Where? When? How? What if? What next?
New to critical thinking?
If the concept of critical thinking is new to you, try seeing yourself as a member of a jury who has to weigh up the evidence presented by both the defence and the prosecution team. As a juror, you need to analyse information and evaluate different arguments presented to you whilst keeping an open mind. You will need these same skills as a critical thinker.
To develop your critical thinking skills, listen to radio phone-ins on topical issues and/or read the letters page in a newspaper. Think about the arguments the callers/readers are making. Are the arguments well-reasoned and logical or are the callers/readers making sweeping statements and generalisations? Are the callers using language as a way of persuading the listener to their point of view? Are they using evidence to back up their arguments and is the evidence credible?
“Learning to not take something at face value and to consistently question the world around you is a crucial part of developing as an adult, and is a significant advantage when producing your own world view. It is especially important when moving on in academia and for those subjects with a philosophical or ethical element, this will be very important in critical thinking skills.”
Rich Croxford, 3rd year Politics and International Relations
Critical thinking at university
University can feel very different to previous educational experiences where you may have had someone else guiding you and telling you what you should be doing.
At university, you will be expected to take more responsibility for your self and becoming a self-directed and independent learner. The ability to critically evaluate situations and ask yourself questions such as Why? Who? What? Where? and When? are an important part of this process and will gradually become second nature.
You will not be on your own in all of this; there will always be staff who can provide help and support for you in the process.
All University of Lincoln students have access to the learning resource hub Skills for Study, provided by the Library.
Follow this link to a Critical Thinking skills module and complete topics on:
– What is Critical Thinking?
– Critical reading and Writing
– Evaluating evidence
You will need to login using your University of Lincoln credentials to access this learning resource.
Read more detail