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Critical Thinking Model

This general model for critical thinking emphasizes the same process-oriented approach of the scientific method:

Focus or Observation:

·        Begins each cycle of the model, where one engages in a particular subject matter

Question or hypothesis:

·        Idea about how a system works

Content and Value:

·        Data generating stages and where the value and context is described. The relative amounts of these two components will vary depending on the question or hypothesis.

Analysis and Deliberation component:

·        Action component of the model

·        Weigh relative merits of both content and value components of the question.

·        Both the data of the content and the value nature of the question must be scrutinized, using the most rigorous and critical procedures available.

·        Evaluate whether the data are valid, use data to make generalizations

Decision or Description of the solution:

·        Choice of “best “ answer to the problem

·        This decision should only be perceived as final for this cycle of the model.   The question should be returned to when new information is available.

New Focus or Observation:

·        Any description or decision should lead to a new observation or focus and the model would once again be placed in motion.  This makes the model cyclic and, in reality, as long as there is new content, the model is returned to and gone through again and again.


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