‘Critical thinking’ is essential to good social science: it means thinking logically, and routinely interrogating what others say, and what you (think you) understand. Asking yourself, ‘Does this make sense?’ is good discipline, but it is also potentially exciting. Noticing that something is amiss in an ‘accepted’ argument or finding a new connection between different data are: critical thinking ‘eureka moments’.

Learn actively: this means engaging with your learning (reading, listening, observing, experiencing) by scribbling, making notes, thinking aloud and discussing things with others.

Question what you read, observe, etc., and consider whether it makes sense: Which theoretical frameworks ‘fit’ and which don’t? Is the evidence convincing? Are there other issues that impact on what’s at hand, or issues that are more significant?

Analyse the component parts, and consider whether the different elements all work together, consistently, to make up the whole: Does one argument build on another in a logical progression? Does the evidence support what is being claimed?

Evaluate the evidence: Is it valid and reliable?

Evaluate the argument: Is it comprehensive and coherent?

Think independently: this is something that you will develop as your studies progress, but you will need to learn to use a range of ideas and information, and to consider novel applications of what you have learned.

Reflect: reflection is an essential critical skill that you should use at all stages of your essay preparation and writing. Remember to take the time to consider feedback from previous assignments: be honest with yourself – Could you have done better? How? Reflect on whether what you are learning compliments or challenges your worldview: does this make a difference to how convinced you are by the arguments/evidence? Do your own subjectivities affect your understanding? When it comes to writing, try to judge your work objectively: Have you expressed yourself clearly, concisely? Do your arguments ‘stack up’? Have you mustered the best evidence available?

Work with others: there are some subjects that lend themselves well to isolated study – social science isn’t one of them. In the social sciences, thinking critically means engaging with the ideas, observations and experiences of others, and helping yourself and others to make better sense of the world.

Adapted from: Open University (2011), ‘Thinking Critically’ webpage (no longer available)