Inside Track to Critical Thinking and Analysis

Cover
Critical thinking and analysis
Brief Contents
Contents
Preface
Introduction
About the authors
Acknowledgements
Reading
	Everyday critical thinking
		Introduction
		What is critical thinking?
		Definitions
		Key elements in critical thinking
		Critical thinking in daily life
			Asking questions
			Asking the right questions
			Scepticism
		Critical thinking in an academic context
			The demands of academia
		Critical thinking is not the same as criticising
		Critical thinking as your contribution
		Summary
		References
	Joining a conversation
		Introduction
		Reading for references
			References in a sample article
		Quiz
		Examining references
			Noticing the names
			Noticing the dates
		Putting the information together
		Moving forward
		The SQ3R technique for reading efficiently
		Summary
		Reference
	Building on scholarship
		Introduction
		Who me? building on scholarship
			Reading and action
		Mind the gap
			Student writers
			Thinking outside the box
			Students’ knowledge
		Too descriptive!
		Examples of critical thinking
			Sample assignment 1
			Sample assignment 2
			Sample assignment 3
		Where do you stand? stance in academic writing
			Sample assignment 4
		Summary
		References
Planning
	Components of critical thinking
		Introduction
		Components of critical thinking in academia
			Connections
			Reflectivity
			Independence
			Time Management
			Intellectual Development
			Context
			Analysis
			Long-term planning
		Summary
	A strategy for analysis
		Introduction
		Generating disciplinary knowledge
		Using your judgement in academia
		Descartes’ critical thinking method
		Errors of understanding
		Errors of academic practice
		Applications of descartes’ theories
			Doubt Everything
			Examine other people’s ideas
			Scepticism is useful
			Critique your own ideas
			Analyse texts
			Revise your writing
			Talk about your ideas
			Edit your writing
			See beyond the surface level
		Summary
		References
Writing
	Preparing to write
		Introduction
		Academic assignments
		Analysing a task
		Locating and selecting sources
		Previewing sources
			Skimming
			Scanning
		Writing and disciplinary specificity
		Conducting research
			Why read journal articles to inform your writing?
			Why persevere?
			The structure of different journal articles
			Referencing sources
		Summary
	Scholarly writing
		Introduction
		Journal article abstracts
		Key features of abstracts
		Key features of articles
		Analysis of a sample article
			Introduction
			Literature review
			Method
			Limitations
			Discussion
			Results
			Conclusion
			To sum up
		Summary
		References
Reflection
	Reflective critical thinking
		Introduction
		Four steps to help your thinking
			1 look at your questions
			2 do not be closed-minded
			3 clarify your thinking
			4 stick to the point
		Summary
		References
	Your career
		Introduction
		Transferable critical thinking skills
			Reflectivity
			Independence
			Connections
		Criticality and your career
			The job description
			Reading the job description critically
			Reading the person specification critically
			Relating the person specification to yourself
		Your career ambitions
			Skills
			Knowledge
			Experience
		Summary
		References
Conclusion
	Reading
	Planning
	Writing
	Reflection
	Summary
References
Index