Some critical thinking strategies

1. Reflection

• engage in the reflective process. (See unit, 'Reflective learning: keeping a reflective learning journal').

2. Rationality

• rely on reason rather than emotion
• require evidence, ignore no known evidence, and follow evidence where it leads
• be concerned more with finding the best explanation than being right
• analyse apparent confusion and ask questions.

3. Self-awareness

• weigh the influences of motives and bias
• recognise our own assumptions, prejudices, biases, or point of view.

4. Honesty

• to think critically we must recognise emotional impulses, selfish motives, disreputable purposes, or other modes of self-deception.

5. Open-mindedness

• evaluate all reasonable inferences
• consider a variety of possible viewpoints or perspectives
• remain open to alternative interpretations
• accept a new explanation, model, or paradigm because it explains the evidence better, is simpler, or has fewer inconsistencies or covers more data
• accept new priorities in response to a reevaluation of the evidence or reassessment of our real interests
• do not reject unpopular views out of hand.

6. Discipline

• be precise, meticulous, comprehensive, and exhaustive
• engage in active listening and reading practices (See the units, ‘Active listening: note-taking in lectures’, and, ‘Active and critical reading’)
• resist manipulation and irrational appeals
• avoid snap judgments.

7. Judgment

• recognise the relevance and/or merit of alternative assumptions and perspectives
• recognise the extent and weight of evidence.