THE GENERAL STUDIES
Critical Thinking MPU 3212
CHAPTER 3: DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYTICAL SKILLS
CLO: To identify the fundamental concepts of critical thinking
How to develop Analytical Skills?
The process of developing analytical skills include improving
one's capacity to carefully analyze complex circumstances or
problems into smaller parts, comprehend how those components
interact, and reach insightful conclusions. Proficiency in analysis
is essential in many facets of life, such as the workplace,
educational institutions, problem-solving, and making decisions.
MPU 3212
CRITICAL THINKING
Key steps in the development of analytical skills:
Critical Thinking Training: Develop Research Skills:
● Engage in activities that promote critical thinking. This includes ● Learn how to conduct effective research. This includes gathering relevant
analyzing arguments, identifying logical fallacies, and evaluating information, assessing the credibility of sources, and synthesizing data to form
evidence. Critical thinking exercises and puzzles can help sharpen well-supported conclusions.
your analytical abilities.
Practice Problem-Solving: Engage in Discussions and Debates:
● Actively seek out and solve problems. This could involve tackling ● Participate in discussions or debates where you need to defend or challenge
puzzles, riddles, or real-world challenges. The more you practice ideas. Engaging with diverse perspectives enhances your ability to analyze
breaking down problems, the more adept you become at analytical different viewpoints and strengthen your argumentation skills.
thinking.
Mind Mapping: Feedback and Reflection:
● Use mind maps or visual diagrams to represent relationships
between different elements of a problem. This visual representation ● Seek feedback on your analytical work. Reflect on the outcomes of your
can aid in understanding complex structures and connections analyses, consider alternative approaches, and learn from both successes
and challenges.
Time Management:
Mentorship and Guidance: Continuous Learning:
● Seek mentorship or guidance from individuals experienced in ● Stay curious and committed to continuous learning. Analytical skills can be honed
analytical roles. Learning from their experiences and receiving through exposure to new information, concepts, and problem-solving
constructive feedback can significantly contribute to your skill
development.
How to identify problems and opportunities in critical thinking?
Ask Questions: Gather Information:
● Encourage a curious mindset by asking questions about ● Actively seek information from various sources. Stay
the current state of affairs. Questions like "What could be informed about industry trends, market developments,
improved?" or "What challenges are we facing?" prompt and changes in your environment. Information can
critical reflection. highlight potential problems or opportunities.
Listen Actively: SWOT Analysis:
● Listen to the concerns and feedback of others. ● Conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses,
Colleagues, customers, or stakeholders may provide Opportunities, Threats) to systematically assess your
valuable insights into existing problems or areas with the current situation. This structured approach helps identify
potential for improvement. internal and external factors that may impact your goals.
Environmental Scanning: Networking:
● Regularly scan the external environment for changes that ● Engage with professionals in your industry or field.
may impact your situation. This could include changes in Networking can expose you to different perspectives and
regulations, technological advancements, or shifts in insights, helping you identify potential issues or areas for
consumer preferences. growth.
MPU 3212
CRITICAL THINKING
HOW TO GATHER AND EVALUATE INFORMATION?
GATHER INFORMATION EVALUATE INFORMATION
Define Your Purpose: Critical Reading:
● Clearly define the purpose of your inquiry. Knowing why you ● Read actively and critically. Question assumptions, identify
need information will guide your efforts and help you focus on arguments, and evaluate evidence presented in the
relevant sources. information.
Use a Variety of Sources: Evaluate Arguments:
● Rely on a mix of primary and secondary sources to ensure a ● Assess the strength of arguments presented in the
well-rounded understanding. Primary sources provide information. Identify logical fallacies, inconsistencies, or
firsthand information, while secondary sources analyze or unsupported claims.
interpret that information.
Take Notes: Formulate Your Own Conclusion:
● Organize and take notes as you gather information. ● Based on your analysis, formulate your own conclusion.
Summarize key points, note sources, and highlight any areas Clearly distinguish between factual information and your
of uncertainty or further investigation. interpretation or opinion.
MPU 3212
CRITICAL THINKING
MPU 3212
CRITICAL THINKING
