"Analyzing a Problem Online Model" in Critical Thinking

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"Analyzing a Problem Online Model"

  

"Elements and Standards Online Model"

 

Criticalthinking.org provide the general public access to 2 interactive critical thinking models, "Elements and Standards Online Model" and "Analyzing a Problem Online Model."  Both interactive models consist of 8 critical thinking elements that help student researchers analyze their hypothesis (or problem) in order to comprehensively consider alternatives and new implications (models not limited to a particular field like psychology). Also, each stage in critical thinking has standards that guide the problem solving process.  For example, a researcher that raises questions about the contributing factors of a particular mental disorder would utilize standards like clarify and precision, significance, answerability, and relevance to build clear, relevant, and precise questions (operational) that have significance to the population facing that condition.  

The Elements of Critical Thinking (total of 8) as described by criticalthinking.org include (also include the standards for each stage):   

• generating purposes (standards-clarity, significance, achievability, consistency, and justifiability).

• raising questions (standards-clarity and precision, significance, answerability, and relevance).

• using information (standards-clear, relevant, fairly gathered and reported, accurate, adequate, and consistently applied).

• utilizing concepts (standards, clarity, relevance, depth, and accuracy).

• making inferences (standards-clarity, logicalness, justifiability, profundity, reasonability, and  consistency).

• making assumptions (standards-clarity, justifiability, and consistency).

• generating implications (significance, logicalness, clarity, precision, and completeness).

• embodying a point of view (standards-flexibility, fairness, clarity, breadth, and relevance)

Criticalthinking.org has two versions of the model: Elements and Standards Online Model and the Analyzing a Problem Online Model.  The Elements and Standards Model gives readers details about how to approach each stage of critical thinking.   I suggest that students glance at this model first.  It is not a lengthy article.  This information is merely an interactive guide with a few helpful bullet points on critical thinking.  While, the Analyzing a Problem Interactive Model has textboxes that allow students to type in their research problem and how they plan to utilize the various standards to analyze their findings.  Do not worry about having to write a whole essay to analyze your problem.  The textbox allows for you to write as little or much as you desire. 

I suggest going to the websites now to begin practicing using critical thinking skills by implementing the 8 elements and the standards.  To view a brief description about the Elements and Standards Online Model, go to http://www.criticalthinking.org/ctmodel/logic-model1.htm.  In order to use the interactive model, hover or click on each topic.   To view the Analyzing a Problem Online Model, go to www.criticalthinking.org/ctmodel/logic-model.php.  Again, hover or click on topics to view that information.

Overall, tools like these interactive critical thinking models will help traditional and non-traditional students apply critical thinking skills to their current undergraduate work, admissions statement of purpose, doctoral level papers, master's thesis, dissertation, grant proposals, research hypotheses, and more.

**To learn more about critical thinking, view the next post for an in depth discussion.


                                                       Reference

Criticalthinking.org. (2013). Elements and Standards Learning Tool. Retrieved
from http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/elements-and-standards-learning-tool/783