UndergradSkiller: Skill Set Map for Undergraduates and Their Educators

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING

Critical Reasoning

Definition:

Critical reasoning involves applying logical principles to evaluate claims, identify fallacies, and construct sound arguments. The resources below demonstrate how these skills are used across academic disciplines.

Useful Resources on Critical Reasoning:

Talbot, M. (2012). Critical reasoning for beginners. University of Oxford Podcasts. https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/series/critical-reasoning-beginners

Annotation: Six-part podcast and video lecture series from the University of Oxford covering the fundamentals of critical reasoning. Topics include the nature of arguments, types of arguments (deductive and inductive), setting out arguments in standard form, validity and truth, evaluating arguments, and common fallacies. Available as audio or video.

Neta, R. (n.d.). Reasoning across the disciplines. Coursera. https://www.coursera.org/learn/critical-reasoning

Annotation: Course from UNC at Chapel Hill designed for incoming university students. Faculty from multiple disciplines, including chemistry, psychology, law, and literature, demonstrate how critical thinking skills are applied in their respective fields. Includes video lectures, readings, quizzes, and essays. Free to audit within a limited window of time.

Peer Review: None

Table of contents:

3.1. Critical Thinking
3.1.1. Introductions to Critical Thinking
3.1.2. Developing Thinking Skills

3.2. Critical Reading and Analysis

3.3. Analysis and Argumentation

3.5. Synthesis

3.6. Problem-Solving and Design Thinking
3.6.1. Problem-Solving
3.6.2. Design Thinking

3.7. Research Methods
3.7.1. Research Design
3.7.2. Research Ethics

3.8. Data Literacy
3.8.1. Understanding Data
3.8.2. Computational Thinking
3.8.3. Statistical and Numerical Analysis

3.9. Curiosity and Creative Thinking
3.9.1. Creative Exercises
3.9.2. Understanding Curiosity

 

Author: Leeanne Irwin

Peer Reviewer(s): None