Public Relations

Critical-Thinking.docx

CRITICAL THINKING - GETTING STARTED

At university there is a great deal of focus on not accepting information as valid unless it has been checked. One of the key tools for checking, is critical thinking. Each time we make an important decision and weigh up strengths and weakness; evidence for and against a decision, we are thinking critically. We all do this all the time. The difference at university is that you are asked to do it at almost every point in your studies and are only allowed to use a certain type of information in your decision making: peer reviewed evidence from academic articles.

The first step in critical thinking is to ask questions. Here is a seven step model to help get into the routine of asking questions.

Follow the seven step model to critical thinking

Step 1 Describe: state what it is Step 2 Analyse: break it down into component parts and name them Step 3 Map: possible relationships between the parts Step 4 Ask: are there possible problems/issues with these relationships? Step 5 Evaluate: the ‘problems’ Step 6 Imagine: an alternative Step 7 Apply steps 1-6 to the alternative.

Step 1: Describe - state what it is

· What is it/What is it not?

· In what context is it found (time, place etc.)?

· What is its purpose?

Step 2: Analyse - break it down into its component parts

· The term analysis means to break something down to its constituent parts.

· What parts make up the whole? Name them

Step 3: Identify the relationship between parts, and between parts and the whole

· How is one part similar and /or different to another part…?

· How do the different parts interact with each other...?

· How are the different parts related to the whole…?

Step 4: Look for possible problems with these relationships

· What are the strengths and weaknesses of the different parts…?

· How do these strengths and weaknesses impact on the whole…?

· Why are relationships structured in this way…?

Step 5: Evaluate the problems

· Are the problems minor or major

· What are potential solutions to the problems

· What makes you think the solutions will work?

Step 6: Imagine an alternative

· How could it be different?

· What would it look like if it was different?

Step 7: Apply steps 1-6 to the alternative

Example: Critical Thinking Applied to a Ballpoint Pen

Step 1: Describe - state what it is

It is a ballpoint pen; it is a handwriting device that was invented in the 20th century.

Step 2: Analyse - break it down into its component parts

The pen is made mainly from plastic. It contains ink, which comes out of a small pointed metal end. The names of the parts are: an external sheath that has the name of the company that produced it printed on it; an inner tube that holds ink that flows to the writing point at one end and a stopper at the other end that holds the inner tube in place

Step 3: Identify the relationship between parts, and between parts and the whole

The ink in the inner tube is used up when someone writes with it. The stopper at the other end is extremely difficult to remove without destroying the outer plastic tube.

Step 4: Look for possible problems with these relationships

The relationship between the decreasing ink and the difficult-to-remove stopper suggests that it would be difficult to refill the ink tube, once the available ink has been used up.

Step 5: Evaluate the problems

The structure of this pen means that once the ink has gone, a new pen will be needed. This would be a problem if someone has no money, or if there is no shop that sells pens nearby. There are also ethical problems with discarding the pen: will it be detrimental to the environment? Are plastic pens a good use of resources? What industrial wastes are created in the production of plastic pens? Will using this pen contribute to the exploitation of people working in the factories that make the parts?

Step 6: Imagine an alternative

A ‘refillable’ pen that is ‘environmentally friendly’, is made by a company that is good to its employees, is affordable for a struggling student and lasts a lifetime?

Step 7: Describe such a pen and begin the six steps again

A fountain pen that is refillable from an ink-bottle.

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Page 2 © Student Learning, Murdoch University

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