Critical Thinking

1. Critical Thinking By Sophia Britton, Laura Campbell, and Matt Fleming

2. What is Critical Thinking? The mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluation information to reach an answer or conclusion. (dictionary.com) An Active, Organized, Purposeful Process which helps an individual determine what to believe or do in response to observations, experience, verbal or written expressions, or arguments.

3. Critical Thinking Cont. Critical Thinking Elements: Includes purposeful, goal-directed thinking Strives to make judgments based on facts rather than conjecture Is based on principles of science and scientific method (hypothesis, research, test, examine, apply�) Required strategies that maximize human potential and compensates for problems caused by human nature The Ideal Critical Thinker: �One who is habitually inquisitive, well informed, trustful of reason, open minded in evaluation, honest in facing personal biases, prudent in making judgments, willing to reconsider, clear about issues, orderly in complex matters, diligent in seeking relevant information, reasonable in the selection of criteria (feasibility), focused in inquiry, and persistent in seeking results that are as precise as the subject and circumstances of inquiry permit.� The Delphi Research Project

4. In Nursing Very closely associated with the nursing process (assessment, analysis/diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation). It is a systemic, orderly, step by step progression with a beginning and an end (linear format). Creating a solution (problems solving) is the ultimate product.

5. Bloom�s Taxonomy (a.k.a. Levels of Thought/Learning) 1. Knowledge -Remembering Information 2. Comprehension -Understanding what you learned 3. Application -Practical Use, Experimentation 4. Analysis - Identify Data(Determine Outcome) 5. Synthesis -Determine Relationships in Data to draw inferences 6. Evaluation -Make Judgments based on standards or criteria 7. Creation

6. In Relation to Bloom�s Taxonomy Critical thinking is considered to be the highest level of thought, wherein a solution to a problem can be created through all of the various steps involved in the critical thinking process.

7. Essential Skills of Critical Thinking Interpretation (Categorization, prioritizing, decoding significance, and clarifying meaning) Analysis (Examining ideas, identifying arguments, and analyzing arguments) Evaluation (Assessing claims and assessing arguments) Inference (Querying evidence, conjecturing alternatives, and drawing conclusions) Explanation (Stating Results, justifying procedures, and presenting arguments) Self-Regulation (Self-examination and self correction)

8. Levels of Critical Thinking *Dependent on the mastery of previously listed skills and effort expended. Basic-level Thinking Complex-Level Thinking Expert �Level Thinking

9. Strategies to Employ in Nursing Critical Thinking I.D. Assumption Collect and Organize Information (Through orientation, interview, assessment�etc.) Validate Accuracy & Reliability What is the Significance of Data? Are there Inconsistencies or Gaps in data? I.D. Patterns in Data & Patient Responses What are the Similarities and Differences? I.D. Stressors & Coping Adaptations Cluster Information Make Inferences based on Data I.D. Real Problems vs. Potential Problems. Evaluate

10. Activities for Improving Critical Thinking Thinking Aloud verbalize thought process and rationale to clarify/solidify thinking Written Assessment Journal Writing, Faculty Review, Case Study, IPR Computer-Assisted Learning Linear Thinking Review of Patient Scenarios Chart review. Grand Rounds consisting of presenting medical problems and treatment of a particular patient to an audience for medical educational purposes.

11. Activities to Improve Critical Thinking Cont. Video-Taping Easy to Review Performance Clinical Process Records Similar to a Case Study which centers on a specific patient experience. Examinations Confer with members of a Health Care team to discuss questions the Client may have, what is being tested, and how best to answer.