Critical thinking: Definition and applications of critical thinking in research
Critical thinking: Definition and applications in research
Research is not about just performing experiments and collecting observations. Whether you’re conducting a synthetic review, observational study, or case study, critical thinking is a vital skill for researchers to generate impactful and useful evidence.
What is critical thinking?
Berg et al. (2021) provide a basic definition of critical thinking as “the process of analyzing and evaluating thinking to make decisions.” Papathanasiou et al. (2014) elaborate further: “the mental process of actively and skillfully [sic] perception, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of collected information through observation, experience and communication that leads to a decision for action.”
We can summarize these definitions to conclude that critical thinking involves
Observing carefully
Analyzing thoughtfully
Evaluating judiciously
Critical Thinking Examples in Research
To Decide your Research Question
Dr L notices that a specific virus strain spreads more rapidly in certain populations but lacks clear genetic differences from less transmissible strains. Using critical thinking, Dr L questions whether environmental or host factors might influence viral behavior. This leads to the research question: “How do host immune responses contribute to differential transmission rates of ABC viral strain within XYZ population?”
To decide your Research Methodology
Dr M, an obstetrics researcher, is investigating the impact of prenatal nutrition on birth outcomes. They consider a randomized controlled trial (RCT) but recognize potential ethical concerns in restricting certain nutrients to pregnant participants. Weighing options, Dr M identifies a prospective cohort study as more suitable. This allows for the natural observation of dietary intake and birth outcomes without intervention. By critically assessing ethical, practical, and scientific factors, they decide that a cohort study provides reliable data while minimizing ethical risks, leading to a well-informed, methodologically sound approach.
To draw insights from your data
Dr B, an epidemiology researcher studying the spread of XYZ respiratory virus, applies critical thinking when analyzing data from various regions. They notice a correlation between higher infection rates and urban areas, but rather than assuming population density is the sole factor, they consider other variables. By critically examining potential confounders, such as healthcare access, air quality, and socioeconomic status, they identify a pattern: regions with poor air quality and limited healthcare resources experience disproportionately higher rates of XYZ respiratory disease. This insight leads to a more nuanced interpretation of the data, highlighting the importance of multiple factors in understanding disease spread.
How researchers can develop their critical thinking skills
Because critical thinking skills are so important, several educational interventions have been developed to enhance these skills in certain fields, especially nursing. Carvalho et al. (2017) have covered strategies like problem-based learning in undergraduate nursing education, in their systematic review. Yue et al. (2017) also compared the ability of concept mapping versus traditional instructional methods in developing critical thinking skills among nursing students.
Beyond formal interventions, there are other simple practices that you can apply as a researcher to boost your critical thinking skills:
Engage in diverse reading: Reading from different disciplines, research by authors in different countries, etc. helps you broaden your perspective and question any assumptions or stereotypes you hold.
Pro tip: Apps like R Discovery make it easy for you to access a wide range of journal articles, conference proceedings, and even preprints, for free and wherever you are.
Practice finding alternative explanations: When reading a research article, for example, try to come up with alternative explanations for the findings. Look carefully at what are the strengths and weaknesses of the study.
Be curious: Ask questions beyond surface-level observations. Like how Dr B in the earlier example did not merely conclude that population density is correlated with increased respiratory disease infection rates.
Work with diverse peers: Actively seek collaborations with researchers from different countries, backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. These interactions can help you acquire new ideas and learn new ways of looking at data.
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