Critical Thinking

Critical thinking may be one of the most overused terms out there. It can mean just about anything anyone wants it to. We keep seeing it popping up in ICH Q9(r1), guidance on data integrity, and many other places. It has really become shorthand for “think better.” So, let us go to the basics and discuss what critical thinking is.

Critical thinking is a multifaceted cognitive process that involves the active and skillful conceptualization, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information gathered from observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication. It aims to form a judgment or make a decision based on reliable information and rational analysis.

1. Questioning and Clarifying: Critical thinking begins with questioning the information presented and clarifying the purpose and context of the thinking process. This involves identifying the problem or question and understanding the assumptions and concepts.
2. Analyzing and Evaluating: This involves breaking down information into constituent parts to understand its structure and meaning. It also includes evaluating the credibility of sources, the validity of arguments, and the relevance and accuracy of the information.
3. Synthesizing and Interpreting: Critical thinkers synthesize information from various sources to form a coherent understanding. They interpret data and evidence to draw conclusions and make informed judgments.
4. Awareness of Biases: It is crucial to be aware of one’s own biases and assumptions. Critical thinkers strive to minimize personal biases’ influence and objectively consider alternative viewpoints.
5. Intellectual Standards: Critical thinking is guided by intellectual standards such as clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness.
6. Application and Communication: It involves applying the insights gained through critical thinking to real-world problems and effectively communicating the reasoning behind decisions and judgments.

Critical thinking is a vital skill that involves a disciplined approach to analyzing and evaluating information. It is characterized by a commitment to intellectual rigor and a systematic method of questioning, analyzing, and synthesizing information to make well-informed decisions. Developing critical thinking skills is a lifelong endeavor that enhances one’s ability to reason and make judgments.

Critical thinking is something we educate on, not train. We cannot proceduralize critical thinking; we can only create tools to drive the behaviors.