Studying Critical Thinking

By Janet Salmons, PhD Research Community Manager for Sage Methodspace

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Critical and creative thinking are essential to research.

As noted in this Methodspace post, we need to think critically to analyze and evaluate literature or data, and we need to think creatively to develop innovative ideas, interpretations, and applications that can improve policies or practices. How can we encourage students to dig below the surface of the articles they read, and to think synergistically about how to use what they have learned in new ways? Here is a multidisciplinary collection of open-access articles that invite us to teach in ways that can develop these important skills and mindsets.

Aston, K. J. (2023). ‘Why is this hard, to have critical thinking?’ Exploring the factors affecting critical thinking with international higher education students. Active Learning in Higher Education, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/14697874231168341

Abstract. University students of all disciplines are expected to display critical thinking. Critical thinking may, however, be impeded by psychological and sociological factors such as: belief and confirmation biases, framing, social pressure to conform and poor assessment of probability and risk. These factors are rarely, if ever, thoroughly examined in isolation, outside the context of the students’ discipline. The aim of this study therefore was to ascertain whether students found that their critical thinking benefited from a better understanding of these factors. To this end, a series of workshops was designed along active learning principles which explored the human factors affecting critical thinking. These workshops were delivered to international students studying various disciplines at the University of Sheffield in the UK, and the participants were then interviewed. The resulting data was analysed using thematic analysis and code development. Participants reported as a result of these workshops an improved understanding of the critical thinking skills of questioning and analysing, using multiple perspectives and argument building; and new awareness of confirmation bias, the use of evidence and sources, framing, independent thinking and culture in relation to critical thinking. In particular, students from educational traditions that favour certainty and authority showed greater tolerance of ambiguity and willingness to judge for themselves. There was also evidence of development in critical dispositions relating to the self (such as self-awareness) and to other people (such as respect for others’ views) as well as criticality, that is, awareness of one’s role in society. This suggests that a better understanding of the factors that influence human thought processes develops students as critical thinkers and equips them to make a positive contribution to the world.

Cascio, T. V. (2017). Using Critical Thinking Drills to Teach and Assess Proficiency in Methodological and Statistical Thinking. Teaching of Psychology, 44(3), 250–254. https://doi.org/10.1177/0098628317712753

Abstract. This study assesses the effectiveness of critical thinking drills (CTDs), a repetitious classroom activity designed to improve methodological and statistical thinking in relation to psychological claims embedded in popular press articles. In each of four separate CTDs, students critically analyzed a brief article reporting a recent psychological study by answering a set of 10 critical thinking questions in relation to it. Student responses were subsequently self-scored through an instructor-led discussion session. Results showed that the average CTD score increased linearly between the first and final assessment. These results suggest that critical thinking in relation to scientific claims found in secondary source material can be successfully taught and quantitatively assessed.

Franco, A. (2016). What Do Ode to Joy, the Nobel Peace Prize, Umbrellas and Cartoons Have in Common? Why Critical Thinking Matters and How Higher Education Moulds. Higher Education for the Future, 3(1), 108–124. https://doi.org/10.1177/2347631115610231

Abstract. Critical thinking is the kind of ‘good’ thinking used in everyday life to increase the chances of success. A critical thinker combines skill and will when working the odds in one’s advantage. Nevertheless, thinking is very often far from rational. Since people are built to believe, since living is all about choosing and since education liberates, critical thinking is essential: in higher education, in the job market and in everyday life. Yet, it needs explicit instruction and inclusion in the curriculum. This article, grounded on current literature and oriented towards the future, addresses the higher mission of higher education. Higher education must aim to prepare individuals to become active citizens, who address life as a process of meaningful lifelong learning and who are devoted to non-stop regulation of thinking and behaviour, which are guided by ethics and evidence for personal and common prosperity and, more important, freedom.

Heinrich, W. F., Habron, G. B., Johnson, H. L., & Goralnik, L. (2015). Critical Thinking Assessment Across Four Sustainability-Related Experiential Learning Settings. Journal of Experiential Education, 38(4), 373–393. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053825915592890

Abstract. Today’s complex societal problems require both critical thinking and an engaged citizenry. Current practices in higher education, such as service learning, suggest that experiential learning can serve as a vehicle to encourage students to become engaged citizens. However, critical thinking is not necessarily a part of every experiential learning process. This project explored several learning experiences that used mindful instructional design of experiential learning to promote critical thinking outcomes. This project looked at four different learning settings that varied in sustainability topics and extent of experiential learning that suggests applicability to a wide educational audience. Our work identified four effective features of instructional design that supported critical thinking: planning, instruction method, content, and explicit critical thinking outcomes. We found that strong critical thinking outcomes result from experiential learning with appropriately scaffolded critical thinking exercises and processes

Greene, J. A., & Yu, S. B. (2016). Educating Critical Thinkers: The Role of Epistemic Cognition. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 45–53. https://doi.org/10.1177/2372732215622223

Abstract. Proliferating information and viewpoints in the 21st century require an educated citizenry with the ability to think critically about complex, controversial issues. Critical thinking requires epistemic cognition: the ability to construct, evaluate, and use knowledge. Epistemic dispositions and beliefs predict many academic outcomes, as well as whether people use their epistemic cognition skills, for example, scrutinizing methods in science and evaluating sources in history. The evidence supporting the importance of epistemic cognition, inside and outside of the classroom, has led to a growing body of intervention research. However, more research can reveal how to best position teachers and students to develop and enact productive epistemic cognition. Promising directions for future research and policy include developing learning environments that promote students’ epistemic cognition and subsequent critical thinking, as well as incorporating this work into educator preparation programs.

Shively, K., Stith, K. M., & Rubenstein, L. D. (2018). Measuring What Matters: Assessing Creativity, Critical Thinking, and the Design Process. Gifted Child Today, 41(3), 149–158. https://doi.org/10.1177/1076217518768361

Abstract. The field of gifted education has a rich history of proposing and implementing innovative pedagogical practices to develop students’ creative and critical thinking, yet less attention has been given to the assessment of these learning experiences. If creative and critical thinking are both inherently important in developing global problem solvers and further represent the goals of gifted curriculum, then classroom assessments must be designed to measure student development of these process skills. Many assessment rubrics emphasize the end product or superficially address process skills. This article provides sample rubrics to assess creative and critical thinking skills independently. Then, we consider anchoring larger projects’ assessment within the Design Thinking Model (DTM), which embeds creative and critical thinking skills into the design process. Teachers may tailor these rubrics to assist in measuring the essential, yet complex, cognitive processes, and clearly convey to students the characteristics and practices of a good thinker and designer.

Southworth, J. (2022). Bridging critical thinking and transformative learning: The role of perspective-taking. Theory and Research in Education, 20(1), 44–63. https://doi.org/10.1177/14778785221090853

Abstract. Although the literature on critical thinking and transformative learning has remained relatively distinct, they have both emphasized the importance of working through and resolving states of doubt. There has been less focus, however, on how we can bring ourselves from a confirmed belief to a position of doubt. This is a foundational skill. Without it, the possibility for intellectual and personal growth is limited. In part one, I focus on critical thinking to investigate what ability and/or disposition can help thinkers arouse a state of doubt. I first consider traditional dispositions of critical thinking, specifically reflection and open-mindedness, and argue that they are largely ineffective as they do not confront the problem of cognitive bias. I then propose perspective-taking as an essential tool to bring about a position of doubt. In part two, I examine leading theorists in transformative experience, transformative education, and transformative learning, who have also largely neglected perspective-taking. I illustrate that perspective-taking can initiate some instances of transformative learning and thereby provides a connecting point to critical thinking. Nevertheless, when engaging with perspective-taking exercises, I argue that instructors ought to prioritize the development of students’ critical thinking skills. In part three, I focus my discussion on incorporating nonfiction perspective-taking readings into university course syllabi as a way to develop students’ critical thinking while creating the conditions for transformative learning.

Nosratinia, M., & Zaker, A. (2014). Metacognitive Attributes and Liberated Progress: The Association Among Second-Language Learners’ Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Autonomy. SAGE Open, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244014547178

Abstract. Owing to the cardinal and acknowledged importance of autonomy (AU) in learning, especially second-language learning, and influenced by the importance of inspecting its nature and the way it is associated with other psychological/cognitive/metacognitive factors, this research investigated the relationship among English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ AU, creativity (CR), and critical thinking (CT). The population for this study comprised of undergraduate EFL learners, between the ages of 19 and 40 (Mage = 22 years), from which 182 male and female subjects were selected via random selection. These participants, who were receiving formal instruction mainly through English, filled out three questionnaires related to CR, CT, and AU. Pearson’s product–moment correlation coefficient was used to analyze the data obtained. The results indicated that there is a significant and positive relationship between EFL learners’ CR and AU, CR and CT, as well as their CT and AU. Considering AU as the predicted variable for this study, it was confirmed that CT makes the strongest unique contribution to explain AU. It is hoped that the results of this study will reveal the nature of AU more and will equip EFL teachers with a wider perspective on the characteristics of AU and the way CR and CT can predict and promote AU among EFL learners.

Yang, Y.-T. C., & Wu, W.-C. I. (2012). Digital storytelling for enhancing student academic achievement, critical thinking, and learning motivation: A year-long experimental study. Computers & Education, 59(2), 339-352. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2011.12.012

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of Digital storytelling (DST) on the academic achievement, critical thinking, and learning motivation of senior high school students learning English as a foreign language. The one-year study adopted a pretest and posttest quasi-experimental design involving 110 10th grade students in two English classes. The independent variable was information technology-integrated instruction (ITII) on two different levels – lecture-type ITII (comparison group) and DST (experimental group). Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, including English achievement and critical thinking scores, questionnaire responses for learning motivation, as well as recordings of student and teacher interviews for evaluating the effectiveness of DST in learning. Descriptive analysis, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), and qualitative content analysis was used for evaluating the obtained data. Our findings indicate that DST participants performed significantly better than lecture-type ITII participants in terms of English achievement, critical thinking, and learning motivation. Interview results highlight the important educational value of DST, as both the instructor and students reported that DST increased students' understanding of course content, willingness to explore, and ability to think critically, factors which are important in preparing students for an ever-changing 21st century.

Zandvakili, E., Washington, E., Gordon, E. W., Wells, C., & Mangaliso, M. (2019). Teaching Patterns of Critical Thinking: The 3CA Model—Concept Maps, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, and Assessment. SAGE Open, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019885142

Abstract. This is a research report of teaching patterns of critical thinking using the competency-based 3CA (an acronym for the educational practices of Concept maps, Critical thinking, Collaboration, and Assessment) model of classroom instruction to change the grammar of schooling. Critical thinking is defined as the “WH questions”: “what, when, where, how, who, and why” taken from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. These questions are threaded through the practices of concept maps, collaboration, and assessment. This conceptualization of patterns of thinking is influenced by Ludwig Wittgenstein’s conceptualization of the relations between the language games of practice and language games in the mind. This study compares individual and collaborative approaches to teaching the critical thinking “WH questions” in a child development class. Students in the individual groups used more “what questions,” whereas students in the collaborative group used more “why and how questions.”

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