STUDYSmarter
Survival Guide
CRITICAL THINKING
What is critical thinking? Critical thinking is sometimes described
as thinking outside the box.
Being a critical thinker is about being active
in learning and thinking; for example in
questioning what you see, hear or read Try this
about instead of automatically accepting it
as accurate, credible or valid. How many uses can you think of for
this object?*
Did you know? Critical thinking is highly
valued in all aspects of university work (and
in life in general).
Some ways to develop your critical
thinking skills:
1. Become sceptical. Ask questions about
almost everything. Some useful questions
are: Why? So what? What if..?
The more you know about your subject or
2. Ask those who disagree with you to tell research area the more competent you will
you their reasons for thinking the way become at critically examining what you
they do. Engage in respectful dialogue. read and hear.
3. Play with ideas. Use brainstorms and
concept/mind mapping to explore new What does critical thinking involve?
relationships between ideas.
Mind mapping It includes a range of activities, such as:
categorising and finding relationships,
Planning
assignments
making evaluations and judgements,
Lecture
& Mind mapping uses
reading
notes
identifying your own biases,
identifying the writer’s assumptions and/
Exam revision
Brainstorming
ideas
or biases,
using your imagination and creativity,
checking if the writer has made
TIP: Be prepared for the unexpected. unsupported generalisations, and
Thinking critically, you might explore checking if the evidence is backed by
options you would not normally research or if it is anecdotal.
consider. This can sometimes send you
down a path that turns out to be a dead
end. While it might seem like time wasted,
you may get valuable insights that you can flower pot, fish catcher, worm farm, seed collector...
use later in your writing or research. *Some ideas to get you started: water filter, foot warmer,
Thinking and notes 1
Learning how to ask the right questions Check out this example:
The more questions you ask, the better you ‘People who have pets live longer’ is a
get at asking them. Pay attention to the claim.
kinds of questions others are asking. Learn
We can ask ourselves if this is true or
from them. Begin with general questions
false. In order to decide this (that is, to
and then refine your questioning to become
make a judgement) we should ask
more specific.
ourselves a series of questions (as the
basis for our evaluation).
Questions to get started:
Some questions you could ask:
What argument is being made?
What evidence is given to support and/or
What evidence is presented? Is it refute this view?
relevant, reliable, good quality?
What is the context for this claim (i.e. is
What is not included? Are there any gaps the claim just about Western society or is
in the evidence or argument? (for it making a general claim?)
example, is there sufficient reference to
other counter arguments or other Does it matter what kind of pet?
scholars’ work?)
What assumptions are being made? For
In whose interest is it to see the world example, is living longer assumed to be a
this way? good thing?
How can this be applied? Is it assumed that people with pets enjoy
having pets, or that all people like pets,
What assumptions are made? or need the ‘benefits’ offered by pets?
Does the conclusion follow logically from Are there any social or environmental
the evidence provided? costs which might reduce the value of
this finding?
What if …? Asking questions like this is a Are there other ways to get the same
great way to see the material differently. health benefits?
For example, ‘What would happen if X
were left out of the sample?’ Keep asking questions. Have fun!
Like this Survival Guide? Why not check out more of our guides…
Mind Mapping, Read Effectively, Note taking, Writing Critically.
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