Evaluating Information

What is critical thinking?

• “Critical thinking is careful and deliberate determination of whether to accept, reject, or suspend judgment.” ~Moore and Parker, 1994

• "Critical thinking is deciding rationally what to or what not to believe." Norris, Stephen P. "Synthesis of Research on Critical Thinking."  ~Educational Leadership 42:8 (1985): 40-45.

• "the art of thinking about your thinking while you are thinking in order to make your thinking better: more clear, more accurate, or more defensible." ~Paul, Binker, Adamson, and Martin (1989)

A critical thinker …

• sees that critical thinking is a lifelong process of self-assessment 

• suspends judgment until all facts have been gathered and considered 

• looks for evidence to support assumptions and beliefs 

• can adjust opinions when new facts are found

• looks for proof 

• examines problems closely 

• can reject information that is incorrect or irrelevant

~Ferrett, S. Peak Performance (1997)

The most characteristic features of critical reading are that you will:

• examine the evidence or arguments presented;

• check out any influences on the evidence or arguments;

• check out the limitations of study design or focus;

• examine the interpretations made; and

• decide to what extent you are prepared to accept the authors’ arguments, opinions, or conclusions.

Source: What is critical reading. (n.d.). Retrieved August 12, 2016, from http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/writing/writing-resources/critical-reading

To Evaluate Sources of Information:

• Use critical thinking skills to determine the appropriateness and reliability of the sources you have located

• Learn the criteria that will help you evaluate the information

• Determine the usefulness of the information

• Know when to discard information and renew your search