Information Literacy: Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking can be thought of in terms of

• Reasonable thinking
• Reflective thinking
• Analysis
• Assessment
• Evaluative thinking
• Mindful thought
• Intellectually-disciplined thought

Critical Thinking & Information Literacy - Parallel Processes

• Realize the task
• Explore, formulate, question, make connections
• Search and find
• Collect and organize
• Analyze, evaluate, interpret
• Synthesize
• Apply understanding
• Communicate, present, share
• Reflect

Critical Thinking as Defined by the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987

A statement by Michael Scriven & Richard Paul, presented at the 8th Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking and Education Reform, Summer 1987.

Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness.

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