Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is considered to be one of the most important soft skills, because it is the ability to analyse data and information obtained and to draw rational answers from it, rather than succumbing to emotions. It is based on looking for answers in facts and research. Finally, critical thinking also means asking the right questions, reflecting and questioning proven processes in order to improve them. It is essential for employers looking for hard-headed employees who will make logical decisions. There are good practices that will help you to verify the information and allow you to be more critical of the data you receive.

1. Define problem/question

The first thing you need to do is to identify the question/problem that has been raised as precisely as possible. This will make it easier to find answers. If you need to, you can always break down the issue into a few smaller questions.

2. Gather information

At this point, you need to look for the data that you will need to evaluate the problem. Look for the information, find out about the different views and opinions on the issue.

3. Evaluate the data

Now you have to evaluate the data you have collected. Is it backed up by scientific evidence? Maybe it is just comments with no cover or guesswork and prediction without scientific basis? Maybe the research you are using has already been overthrown by other work? Try to assess their credibility.

4. Check objectiveness

Assess whether you have been guided by your own beliefs and have not chosen biased when collecting data. Are you sure the research you did was objective? Maybe you were looking for data that supported your own beliefs and views?

5. Make a decision

The next point is to take a decision. Try to prepare possible answers on the basis of the collected and selected data and identify its strengths and weaknesses for each possible answer. This will allow you to make the best possible decision. However, it may turn out at this point that you need to go back and collect more data, because you are not able to make a rational decision. It may also turn out that you need to redefine the problem, because the issue you were looking for answers to was too broad.

6. Present the results

When you make a decision, present the results of your research. (Tomaszewski, 2020)

The ability of critical thinking by a tutor is essential. The decisions that he or she has to make are usually not schoolbooks, but very individual. The ability to think critically will therefore be very important in the process of instructing trainees. It will allow for optimal reaching the trainee and, by understanding his behaviour, maximising his development.

Through critical thinking, you are involved in improving processes. Looking for answers, you are better teacher for trainee(s) and are constantly looking for new solutions and improvements.

Critical thinking will improve your work as a tutor by making it easier for you to see the relationships between the various facts, which will result in a better understanding of the complex issues that can be involved in managing trainees. It will also help you to make judgements and argumentation easier thanks to a better understanding of the subject. This will allow you to explain more easily and be a better instructor.

Exercise: Case study

Your task is to check how a multinational group of people can influence the work of the team. For this task, use 6 points to help you go through the thinking process. The following table will help you to do this.

Discussion topic

Think about what your decision-making process looks like in everyday life. When do you think you need to use the 6 point system presented in this chapter?