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      Definition
       Use of the word critical sounds negative
       An ability to present, evaluate, and interpret data, to develop 
        lines of argument and make sound judgements.
        QAA, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, Certificate 
        level
       critique is not a matter of saying that things are not right as 
        they are. It is a matter of pointing out on what kinds of 
        assumptions, what kinds of familiar, unchallenged, 
        unconsidered  modes of thought the practices that we accept 
        rest. (Foucault, 1988, p. 154) 
         In other words it is about questioning assumptions or things that 
          we are told because if you don’t those assumptions may become 
          accepted as normal, ordinary or taken for granted
         Alternative facts
   Simon Whiffin                                                   September 2015 (updated 
                                                                          February 2018)
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      What is critical thinking
       One of the key skills you take from HE is the ability to question
         Don’t just accept at face value what you’ve heard or read
       Critical thinking or reasoning we do throughout our lives
       It’s a combination of
         Selecting information
         Using knowledge
         Evaluating evidence
       Consider taking observations from a patient who has just returned 
        from surgery. Do you just rely on the ‘numbers’?
       Critical thinking  and reflection are similar in that both require you to
         Step back
         Pause to look, listen and reflect
         Discriminate between what is relevant and not
   Simon Whiffin                                                    September 2015 (updated 
                                                                            February 2018)
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      What is critical thinking
       It is about ‘unpacking’ whatever you are examining. Don’t 
        just accept what you are told or have read. in other words 
        don’t make assumptions but think of it as getting below the 
        surface. 
       No one source you will use in your writing can provide the 
        absolute truth
       Is there any evidence and if so it reliable empirical versus 
        anecdotal evidence
       Different sources may offer different dimensions but there 
        are always limits on what our sources can tell with certainty
       Strike a balance between description and analysis
   Simon Whiffin                                               September 2015 (updated 
                                                                      February 2018)
   Simon Whiffin                                   September 2015 (updated 
                                                        February 2018)
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       Critique what you’re reading
                                               What is 
                                               the line 
                                                 of 
                                              reasonin
                                Does the         g           Evaluati
                                evidence                      ng the 
                                support                       line of 
                                  the                        reasonin
                               conclusio                        g
                                  ns
                                             Readin
                                                 g 
                            What are         criticall           Question 
                              the                                 surface 
                            conclusio            y               appearanc
                              ns                                   es
                                      Evaluat          Identify 
                                       e the          evidenc
                                      evidenc          e in the 
                                         e              text
    Simon Whiffin                                                               September 2015 (updated 
                                                                                         February 2018)