Taking a Critical Approach/Critical Appraisal

According to Burns and Sinfield (2022), 

"Critical thinking is the art of making clear, reasoned judgements based on interpreting, understanding, applying and synthesising evidence … [it] means actively engaging with and evaluating ideas, evidence and information gathered from observation, reading and experimentation" (p. 92).  

At the core of the definition lies a task for you which is to explain why you think or feel the way you do. It involves analysing, evaluating, and synthesising information to form reasoned judgments. It’s the mental process where you evaluate arguments, evidence, and assumptions. It requires you to present your ideas and evidence in a non biased way. 

Burns, T. and Sinfield, S. (2022) Essential Study Skills: The Complete Guide to Success at University. 5th edn. London: Sage. 

One important element of taking a critical approach is developing your critical thinking skills:

• relying on evidence

• looking at issues from a variety of perspectives and evaluating all reasonable evidence, for example:

  • considering historical arguments

  • practice and policy implications

  • empirical studies

  • evidence that builds on previous findings, etc.

• being more concerned with finding the best explanation than the right answer

  • i.e. being open to different arguments and contradictions in evidence

• attempting to build a strong argument with solid reasons and a suitable conclusion

Critical thinking is a skill that includes lots of different parts. First, you need to examine what others are saying and understand their views. Then, look at the facts they use to support their ideas and think about why they believe them. It’s also important to look at both sides of the argument and compare them fairly. Sometimes, people hide messages or try to make their ideas sound better than they really are, so it's good to read carefully and spot those tricks. To think clearly, you need to stay organised, use facts, and think logically. Ask yourself if what someone says makes sense and if they’re using good, solid evidence. In the end, bring all your thinking together to form your own opinion. Then, share your ideas in a clear and logical way so that others can follow and understand your point of view.

Remember the following key characteristics of critical thinking:

• Objectivity – evaluating information without bias.

• Analysis and logical reasoning – breaking down complex ideas and making sound judgments.

• Curiosity – seeking deeper understanding and questioning assumptions.

• Open-mindedness – considering multiple perspectives before forming conclusions.

• Problem-solving – finding solutions through structured thinking.

• Reflection – continuously assessing and improving one's thought process.

Here are some traits that are NOT characteristics of critical thinking:

• Being easily influenced – accepting opinions without questioning.

• Quick judgment – making decisions without considering all perspectives.

• Cynicism – distrusting information without logical reasoning.

• Ignoring uncertainty – refusing to acknowledge complexity or ambiguity.

• Rigid thinking – rejecting alternative viewpoints without evaluation.

When taking a critical approach, be mindful that:

Critical thinking is not just about criticism: When you are evaluating an argument or the findings from a study, you need to consider the advantages, strengths and valuable elements as well as the disadvantages, weaknesses and problematic aspects.

Critical thinking is not just about expressing your opinion: It is important to make sure you explain why you are taking a particular viewpoint. Where appropriate, use evidence from sources you have read to support the points you are making.

Critical thinking is not just about relying on emotions: It is important to take note of your emotional response to something you are reading or listening to. For example, certain viewpoints might make you feel angry, excited or confused and this can alert you to important issues. In these situations, it can be helpful to take a step back and think about why you are feeling this way. The aim would then be to see if you can translate those feelings into arguments which you can include in your writing or presentation.

Adapted from a presentation on Critical Thinking by Dr Alexandra Allan, Graduate School of Education

It is important to check your information:

Learn how to search for information. How strong you make an argument depends on the reliability and relevance of the sources you use for your essays, homework, and dissertation. Find more about where to find relevant sources and ways to search in this guide: Library Search.