Lecture 11- What is Critical Analysis?

Lecture 11-  What is Critical Analysis?

Lecture Aims

-To explore the meaning of critical analysis
-To develop critical thinking and writing skills
-To begin critically analysing some examples

Definitions

-critical analysis - an appraisal based on careful analytical evaluation
-Critical analysis is a central process involved in all academic work. It involves hard (critical) thinking which is applying rational and logical thinking while deconstructing the different texts that a person reads
-it is when you are a terrorist

How does it work?

-Carefully considering an idea and weighing up the evidence supporting it to see if it is convincing
-Then being able to explain why you find the evidence convincing or unconvincing.

Bloom’s (1956) Hierarchy/Taxonomy of Thinking Skills

      

    Evaluate ;(Make judgments about the value of ideas or information)

 Synthesize ;(Combine ideas or information into something new)

       Analyse; (Make a systematic and detailed examination of an Argument or piece of research)
          Apply:(Use knowledge)
Comprehend ;(Have understanding)
          Know; (Be aware of something, recall information)

Differences between descriptive and critical analytical writing

Descriptive writing	Critical analytic writing
States what happened	Identifies its significance
States what something is like	Evaluates strengths and weaknesses
Lists details	Evaluates relative significance of details
States the order in which things happened	Makes reasoned judgments
Says how to do something	Argues a case according to the evidence

Practicing critical analysis

It helps if you ask yourself a series of questions about the material you are reading:

-Who is the author and what is their viewpoint or bias?
-Who is the audience and how does that influence the way information is presented?
-What is the main message of the text?
-What evidence has been used to support this main message?
-Is the evidence convincing; are there any counter-arguments?
-Do I agree with the text and why do I agree or disagree?

How to get more critical analysis into your essay

-Avoid unnecessary description – only include general background details and history
-Practice distinguishing between description (telling what happened) and analysis (judging why something happened)

Interpret your evidence – explain how and why your evidence supports your point. Interpretation is an important part of critical analysis, and you should not just rely on the evidence "speaking for itself”

Be specific - avoid making sweeping generalisations or points that are difficult to support without specific evidence. It is better to be more measured and tie your argument to precise examples or case studies

Use counter-arguments to your advantage – if you find viewpoints that go against your own argument, don't ignore them. It strengthens an argument to include an opposing viewpoint and explain why it is not as convincing as your own line of reasoning.””

Writing critically

-How do I criticise the work of established academics/practitioners?

-By reading other established academics/ practitioners that may have different views
-By looking for practical evidence that may support or refute the established theory.

-How can I criticise other’s work?

-Check for logical coherency of the arguments.
-May the author be biased?

-Cultural, gender, professional biases, etc.

-Does the author clearly outline his/her theoretical base?
-Are the author’s arguments supported by relevant evidence and other people’s work?
-Are the author’s methods trustworthy?

-Is critical writing about criticising other’s work?

-Yes but it is only a small part.

-It is also about:

-Integrating different sources of information (books, articles, etc.) to provide a fuller picture of your topic.
-Giving an overview of your topic:

-What are the key themes, arguments and conclusions?
-How were they developed?
-Do the authors in the area agree/disagree with each other?
-What does the theory in your topic mean for practice?

-Providing practical evidence to illustrate and support your arguments.