Critical Thinking Angela Mazzetti

In this lecture we will: Explore what we mean by being critical; Explore how to ‘be critical’ in our reading and writing; Review assignment 1.

Reference sources

Being critical “Critical’ in University work means being thoughtful, asking questions, not taking things you read (or hear) at face value. It means finding information and understanding different approaches and using them in your writing.” (Williams 2014, p. viii)

Barriers to being critical Experience: not all educational systems encourage learners to be critical; Accepted norms: Ways of thinking about knowledge vary across subject disciplines; Misunderstanding: critical versus criticising; Confidence: to critique the work of others.

Being critical in our reading Step 1 Being systematic in how we search for and select relevant information sources; Step 2 Questioning what we read and identifying gaps, disparities and connections Step 3 Taking notes.

Popular management texts Selecting what to read Websites (except for accessing databases, company or industry information, news stories, etc.) Popular management texts Textbooks Scholarly sources

Questioning what we read Who generated the information? Why (for what purpose) was the information generated? What assumptions or values underpin the information? When was the information generated? How was the information generated? Where was the information generated?

Identifying gaps, disparities and connections Does the author define important terms? What are the author’s central arguments? What evidence does the author use to support these arguments? Does the author build on or refute the work of others? Is the methodology clearly outlined? Are there gaps – is the article lacking in information? Is the article logically structured? Does the author’s writing style suit the intended audience? Is the author’s language objective or charged with emotion and bias?

Understanding generalizability and certainty High Moderate vulnerability – Weak claim, Extensive generalization High vulnerability – Strong claim, extensive generalization Degree of generalization Activity 1 – looking at 4 excerpts – categorize these into the variation of claims Low vulnerability – Weak claim, minimal generalization Moderate vulnerability – Strong claim, minimal generalization Low High Low Degree of certainty

Taking notes Include full reference; A number of templates available (see some examples in the folder).

Over to you…. Working in small groups: Refer to the pre-reading articles; Consider the following: 1. Writing style, language and structure; 2. Assumptions / values / biases; 3. Central arguments and evidence.

Being critical in our writing Step 1 Using a balance of reference sources; Step 2 Using appropriate supporting and challenging language; Step 3 Logically presenting your argument.

Supporting X (2017) argues that….. Support for this (argument/ statement/ claim) comes from… Using wider literature to establish validity In their paper on… Y and Z (2016) explain… This explication allows us to… Describing how a paper provides new information There is clear support for the claims made by A (2015) through… Explaining the logic and how it solves a problem/explains an issue

Challenging Whilst X (2017) argues that... there seems to be insufficient support for this (argument/ statement/ claim). By contrast, B (2014) suggests that… Using wider literature to question validity In their paper on… Y and Z (2016) explain… However, their explication doesn’t … Describing how a paper doesn’t meet it’s claims A and B (2017) claim that…however, their argument fails to convince, in that… Where a paper doesn’t appear logical or solve a problem/explain an issue

Over to you…. Using the pre-reading reference sources: Write a short critical evaluation of the following: Is the concept of ‘Shared Value’ (Porter and Kramer, 2011) essentially a marketing tool that serves the profit motive of MNCs or a way of improving outcomes for disadvantaged communities?

Critical journal article review; 1500 words; 20 November 2017. Assignment 1 Critical journal article review; 1500 words; 20 November 2017.

Thank You! Any questions?