MBS0215 Academic Writing and Research Skills for Business Lecture 6: critical evaluations

Aims for this session: Critical thinking and critical writing Understanding Possible pathways Critical Thinking Quiz Evaluating sources, evaluating information

Q In which contexts have heard the term criticality used before Q In which contexts have heard the term criticality used before? Q Why is criticality important within the field of Business?

Assumptions are key to critical thinking “Assumptions are guides to truth embedded in our mental outlooks” (Brookefield, 2012, p 7) Assumptions are often what motivate us or guide our decision making Remember, identifying and evaluating these assumptions is a part of the process of critical thinking. This shall help you to look for falsehoods, leaps of logic and/or missing links.

Q What is Critical Thinking? It does not refer to a simple evaluation or merely finding fault Criticality is… 1. Interpretation and evaluation (Fischer and Schriven, 1997) 2. Moore and Parker (2012) suggest it helps us determine whether a claim should be accepted and, if so, to what extent

What Is Critical Thinking? “Critical thinking is a desire to seek, patience to doubt, fondness to meditate, slowness to assert, readiness to consider, carefulness to dispose and set in order; and hatred for every kind of imposture” (Bacon, 1605). Critical thinking is a process and method involving careful consideration of one’s own ideas as well as the ideas of others (Cottrell, 2005). A critical approach is a mindset you need for life and work, and very much part of the wider picture of having a methodological and thoughtful approach to your studies (Williams, 2014, p viii).

Evaluations versus critical thinking 1 2 In my opinion, this blog post is very interesting, but since it does not show evidence of any research, it is not entirely trustworthy. Although this blog presents useful learning techniques, because it lacks empirical research to back up its claims, it is not a reliable source. 3 …?

Critical thinking as a process involves... (Cottrell,2011, p 2) Identifying other people’s positions arguments and conclusion. Evaluating the evidence for alternative points of view and weighing up opposing arguments and evidence fairly. Reading between the lines, seeing below surfaces and identifying false or unfair assumptions. Recognising techniques used to make certain positions more appealing to others, such as false logic and persuasive devices. Reflecting on issues in a structured way, using logic and insight. Drawing conclusions about whether arguments are valid and justifiable, based on good evidence and sensible assumptions. Synthesising information by drawing together your judgements of the evidence and using these to form your own position. Presenting a view in a structured, well reasoned way that convinces others

Seeing things from different viewpoints Critical Thinking: an overview Hunting assumptions What assumptions are influencing my analysis? Checking assumptions Are these assumptions as accurate as I assumed them to be? Seeing things from different viewpoints How can I test the assumptions by looking at the situation or ideas from different angles? Reflection Adapted from: Brookfield, 2012, pp 11-14; Cottrell,2011, pp 2-3) Taking informed action I can now take actions based on my critical thought and evaluation

You will now watch this presentation on critical thinking. It will help you answer questions in the upcoming quiz! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dItUGF8GdTw (4mins 30s)

It’s time for the Critical Thinking Quiz (How much do you remember?) This is not a video, just a picture

Q1 What is one advantage of applying critical thinking? It’s a process that helps us make only large, important decisions It’s a process that helps us make only small, unimportant decisions It’s a process that helps us create hidden issues, bias and manipulation It’s a process that helps us reveal hidden issues, bias and manipulation Revised from Agoos (2016)

Q1 What is one advantage of applying critical thinking? It’s a process that helps us make only large, important decisions It’s a process that helps us make only small, unimportant decisions It’s a process that helps us create hidden issues, bias and manipulation It’s a process that helps us reveal hidden issues, bias and manipulation Revised from Agoos (2016)

Q2 What is the first step (of five) in the critical thinking process? Gather information Apply information Formulate questions Consider implications Revised from Agoos (2016)

Q2 What is the first step (of five) in the critical thinking process? Gather information Apply information Formulate questions Consider implications Revised from Agoos (2016)

Q3 When making a decision, what is the main purpose of gathering facts and information? To make sure your assumptions are illogical To weigh out various options or choices To ignore the implications of your choices To explore your own perspective and point of view Revised from Agoos (2016)

Q3 When making a decision, what is the main purpose of gathering facts and information? To make sure your assumptions are illogical To weigh out various options or choices To ignore the implications of your choices To explore your own perspective and point of view Revised from Agoos (2016)

Q4 Considering the implications of a decision means: Examining its potential outcomes and effects Asking questions to determine your goal Gathering information to weigh out options Determining whether information is logical Revised from Agoos (2016)

Q4 Considering the implications of a decision means: Examining its potential outcomes and effects Asking questions to determine your goal Gathering information to weigh out options Determining whether information is logical Revised from Agoos (2016)

Q5 How can critical thinking improve your chances of making better choices? Critical thinking helps you pick the correct and best choice for all situations Critical thinking helps you explore only your own perspective and no others Critical thinking helps you examine information and make unreasonable choices Critical thinking provides you the tools to sift through complex information logically Revised from: Agoos, 2016

Q5 How can critical thinking improve your chances of making better choices? Critical thinking helps you pick the correct and best choice for all situations Critical thinking helps you explore only your own perspective and no others Critical thinking helps you examine information and make unreasonable choices Critical thinking provides you the tools to sift through complex information logically Revised from: Agoos, 2016

All opinions must be logically argued Whilst it is true that the work of an academic writer must be objective, it does not mean they should not have opinions. Rather: All opinions must be logically argued Use reason, examples, research to support our claims All opinions should acknowledge weaknesses Advantages and disadvantages Limitations Dissenting opinions All opinions should relate to the wider field Secondary research Key theories, frameworks, models, hypothesis Discussion of questions being asked in the field Add transitions

Barriers to using critical thinking in your writing Planning: thinking one-sidedly thinking superficially thinking egocentrically thinking imprecisely thinking illogically communicating own thinking poorly Not reading enough Pre-writing: forming superficial concepts using irrelevant ideas failure to see issues from other points of view ignoring relevant viewpoints Pick out a couple of barriers to discuss in detail I don’t find this video useful because it is simplistic. This is just a beginning. Think deeper. .

Questions to consider: relevance and logic Relevance A critical thinker is always asking questions! The most common question is that of ‘relevance’: Logic Does this really make sense? Why / not? To who? In what ways? Does this really follow on from what I’ve already said? Why / not? To what extent? How? Have I written other ideas which contradict this? What? Where? Can both be true? Why / not? To what extent? In what ways? Is there sufficient evidence to support this? Why / not? Is other evidence possible here? Why / not? Does a lack of evidence invalidate the argument? Why /not? Is the logic only subjectively logical or is it objectively logical? Why? In what ways? Is this a problem? Why / not? Beware of subjectivity! You cannot escape it, but should try to logically explain and justify it

References Agoos, S. (2016) 5 tips to improve your critical thinking Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dItUGF8GdTw (Accessed 19 July 2017). Cottrell, S. (2011)  Critical thinking skills: Developing effective analysis and argument. Bassingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Eliza (2014) Reading to find the assumption: The key to critical reasoning. Available at: https://gmat.economist.com/blog/verbal/reading-find- assumption-key-critical-reasoning (Accessed: 14 July 2017). Elder, L. & Paul, R. (1996) Universal Intellectual Standards, Available at http://www.criticalthinking.org/articles/universal-intellectual-standards.cfm (Accessed 19 July 2017). Fisher, A., & Scriven, M. (1997) Critical Thinking: Its Definition and Assessment, UK: Centre for Research in Critical Thinking. Moore, B. N., & Parker R. (2012) Critical Thinking (10th ed.), UK: McGraw-Hill. Williams, K. (2014) Getting Critical, London: McGraw-Hill.