SHU Library Instruct

SHU Library Instruct: Critical Thinking

Using Critical Thinking and Logic

Why Thinking Matters (Video)

Critical thinking is the ability to think with consciousness or awareness.

Asking questions to analyze problems and new information expands your worldview and gives you the opportunity to consider both familiar and unfamiliar issues in a new way.

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Inquiry (Video)

Throughout life, you’ll encounter situations to evaluate and problems to solve. These situations may be academic, professional, and even personal.

When you first approach your problem or situation, you might be hoping to find a straight, easy path to the solution. This almost never happens! Don’t despair—there’s another tactic that will help you solve problems thoughtfully and effectively: using an inquiry-based mindset.

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Logical Reasoning (Tutorial)

Logical reasoning is the process of observation, gathering evidence, and building an argument with the goal of reaching a conclusion.

Using the appropriate evidence and reasoning techniques, you can solve complex problems and share your own original, well-supported theories at school, at home, and in the workplace.

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Evidence-Based Reasoning (Video)

Research questions can be answered in a variety of ways. In considering what those answers may be, you must determine how to support each conclusion.

When you have a research question in mind and you want to find evidence that would answer it, you need to take some time to figure out what kinds of evidence best answer your question.

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Analyzing Information (Tutorial)

To analyze a source, you not only must understand the basic message but also be able to identify its themes, evaluate its message, and ask open-ended questions in order to pursue a deeper understanding.

In this tutorial, we’ll take a close look at some of the ways you can dive below the surface by asking smart questions, looking for patterns and themes, and maintaining an open mind.

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