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Academic Skills

Critical Analysis

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Analytical skills and critical reading help you dive deeper into what you're reading, so you can spot key points, strengths, and any biases.

It's all about questioning what you read, thinking critically about the content, and making connections to broader ideas. These skills are super useful for getting more out of your studies and forming your own informed opinions.

Developing analytical skills

Identifying Assumptions

Developing critical thinking skills is essential for producing well-researched, in-depth, and original academic works. Being able to identify assumptions is a key aspect of critical thinking.

When conducting research or reading academic papers, consider:

  • Timing: When was the research conducted or the material produced?
  • Authorship: Who is the author? Are they an expert in the field?
  • Funding: Who funded the research?
  • Methodology: What methods were used to arrive at the conclusions?
  • Objectivity: Is the information presented objectively, or does it show bias?
  • Omissions: Are there any significant aspects omitted from the discussion?
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Evaluating Evidence

Critical thinking also involves evaluating the evidence presented in academic works.

Ask yourself:

  • Strength of Evidence: How strong is the evidence provided?
  • Supporting Points: Are all points backed by evidence?
  • Generalisations: Does the author avoid unsupported generalisations?
  • Fact vs. Opinion: Is there a clear distinction between fact and opinion?
  • Citations: Are reliable and recent sources cited?
  • Images/Diagrams: Do visual aids support the argument effectively?

Questioning sources

Recognising Biases

Another critical thinking skill is recognising biases in the information presented.

Try to consider:

  • Author's Stance: What is the author's position on the topic? Is it explicit?
  • Balanced Viewpoint: Does the author present a balanced viewpoint, considering other perspectives?
  • Representation: Does the author accurately represent the ideas of others?
  • Conclusion Reasoning: Are the conclusions reasonable based on the evidence?
  • Language Use: Is the language neutral? Does it avoid emotional language or dramatic images?
  • Examples: Are examples free from bias and representative?

Assessing Credibility

It's important to assess the credibility of sources when engaging in critical thinking.

Questions to ask:

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  • Author Expertise: Is the author an expert in the field?
  • Source: Is the source trustworthy?
  • Publication Date: How recent is the publication?
  • Audience: Who is the intended audience?
  • Author's Purpose: What is the author's purpose (e.g., to inform, persuade)?