The Rundown

Part 1

Critical Thinking

Being critical does not just mean finding fault. It means assessing evidence from a variety of sources and making reasoned conclusions. As a result of your analysis you may decide that a particular piece of evidence is not robust, or that you disagree with the conclusion, but you should be able to state why you have come to this view and incorporate this into a bigger picture of the literature.

Takeaways

  • 1

    Critical thinking involves making reasoned judgments through systematic analysis of evidence, not just finding fault.

  • 2

    In today's digital information landscape, the ability to distinguish fact from fiction is essential, particularly during election periods.

  • 3

    Effective critical thinking requires active questioning of assumptions, recognition of biases, and systematic evaluation of information sources.

  • 4

    Information must be "framed" before consumption - like preparing to swim, one must approach every piece of information with a structured analytical mindset.

Critical thinking is the art of making clear, reasoned judgments based on interpreting, understanding, applying and synthesising evidence gathered from observation, reading and experimentation

Burns, T., & Sinfield, S. (2016)

Online platforms have revolutionised how we consume information, and along with it, how malicious actors create and spread misinformation and disinformation, making it a top global risk. As we approach the end of this pivotal election year, the ability to use critical thinking to tell fact from fiction is a vital skill. A critical thinker is someone who:

  • Actively and skillfully conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates information
  • Uses observation, experience, reasoning, and communication to guide their beliefs and actions
  • Questions assumptions, recognizes biases (including their own), and seeks evidence before drawing conclusions
  • Remains open-minded and willing to consider alternative perspectives
  • Applies logical and systematic approaches to problem-solving and decision-making

Ask yourself: What can you trust? What do you know for sure and how do you know it? It is important to prepare our minds to deal with information. Take a moment to think about how you think about information. Before we can assess information, we must first be able to critically engage with it.

For example, how do you prepare to swim? Do you dive right in? Probably not… instead you may frame the scenario by changing into a bathing suit, taking a shower, judging how deep the water is, making sure you have a towel, checking if you need sunscreen and so on. Information framing follows the same logic: we must approach any information we receive critically. Every single time. We have to consider why this is a problem and who or what is being impacted.

Checklist

  • CredentialsWho is reporting the information and what are their credentials and track record?
  • ReviewDo they have any potential biases or conflicts of interest?
  • ContextAre there important contextual factors missing that might influence the results?
  • Data GapsWhat information might be missing from the report?
  • Data VerificationHave you used a third party to corroborate the information?
  • Bias AnalysisHave opinions been presented as facts?
  • Fact CheckIs there anecdotal evidence presented as consistent factual occurrence?
  • Clarify the intentCan you discern ‘intention’ and ‘direction’ in the information made available to you? If so question it.

Further Reading