The Critical Thinking Process
Critical thinking can be perceived as an eight stage process.
It commences with the collection of data to provide a context and understanding of the issues. The analysis and evaluation of the data enables the identification of options which can then be compared before reaching a final decision. The final stage is to review the process and decision.
The Critical thinking process
Critical thinking is an evaluative process comprising a set of discrete activities that enable people to move observation, fact finding and opinions to conclusions supported by sound analysis and arguments.
Observations | From a series of observations, we can establish: | Facts |
Facts | From a series of facts, or from an absence of fact, we can make: | Inferences |
Inferences | By testing the validity of inferences, we can make: | Assumptions |
Assumptions | From our assumptions, we can form our: | Opinions |
Opinions | Taking our opinions, we can use the principles of logic to develop: | Arguments |
Arguments | We can test and challenge arguments, through: | Analysis |
Analysis | Through analysis during which we challenge the observations, facts, inferences, assumptions, opinions and arguments, we can draw out: | Conclusion |
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