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Workshop 3; Semester 2, 2011.Critical AnalyticalthinkingReview of critical analytical thinking what is it? Critical reading having a go!Critical writing examples to see!

TodayNoticesNo workshop next week because you are busy little beeeees

EDB410 drafts due to me BEGINNING of next week Monday/TuesdayKeep in mind I have all 57 of you, so I need time to get through them all!!! Last drafts will be looked at Friday morning at 1pm Friday afternoon, I knock off work because of other commitments so keep that in mind

Next workshop 13 September, Week 8: How to write a lit review.

MDB397 minimaster after this workshop...

EDB361 & EAB023 send in drafts to Jan

So far SPB004 is going really well, the seminar marks have been pretty strong so far! WELLDONE!!!

Dont forget your squares!!! Everyone got one? Need some ideas???

Coming to Jan and me makes a difference =D

NoticesNo workshop next week because you are busy little beeeees

EDB410 drafts due to me BEGINNING of next week Monday/TuesdayKeep in mind I have all 57 of you, so I need time to get through them all!!! Last drafts will be looked at Friday morning at 1pm Friday afternoon, I knock off work because of other commitments so keep that in mind

Next workshop 13 September, Week 8: How to write a lit review.

MDB397 minimaster after this workshop...

EDB361 & EAB023 send in drafts to Jan

So far SPB004 is going really well, the seminar marks have been pretty strong so far! WELLDONE!!!

Dont forget your squares!!! Everyone got one? Need some ideas???

Coming to Jan and me makes a difference =D

Keeping in touch Facebook meBut I need to learn how to use it!!! ;P

Emma Qut

Just because research is published in a well-known journal does not automatically make it good research.

Creswell (2012).What is critical analytical thinking?Stand back and evaluate the evidence put forward in support of a belief or claim and adopting and attitude of skeptism or reasoned doubtExamine and evaluate the beliefs/claims/arguments from different angles and habitually questioning their quality Are they accurate?Comparing the same issue from the point of view of other writers and theoristsConsiders where the belief or view point/argument leads what conclusions follow? Are they valid and rational?Looking for possible flaws in the reasoning, evidence or the way the conclusions are drawnBeing able to argue why/how one set of opinions, results or conclusions is preferable to anotherBeing on guard for literary devices that encourage the reader to take questionable statements at face value and lure the reader into agreementChecking for hidden assumptions, bias and inferences

(Adapted from: Cottrell, 2008, p.275; Poulson & Wallace, 2004, p.5)

Critical analytical thinking when reading means actively looking for the followingSignificance What is important and why? Inference What is really being said? Reading between the linesArgument Is it clear and is there enough valid evidence to support the argument/claims?Assumptions What are their theories and beliefs? Are they valid and convincing?Hidden values What is not being said?Bias Is there any? Is it fair?Authors purpose What is the intention of the author? Why did they write this? Patterns and connections (between points made, arguments & claims, between different readings) Are there any?

Differences between critical & non-critical readersNon- critical readers: Take in the factsSatisfied with what the text saysDiscover an accepted interpretation or argumentRestate the key pointsDifferences between critical & non-critical readersNon- critical readers: Take in the factsSatisfied with what the text saysDiscover an accepted interpretation or argumentRestate the key pointsCritical readers: Actively examine, evaluate and analyse evidence, data & information (e.g. Is it valid & reliable? Is there enough?)Recognize not only what the text says but how the text presents the subject matter (e.g. amount and type of support given to arguments and points made)Examine choices of content, language used and structure made by the author to determine how these choices effect meaning and argument (e.g. Any bias?)Recognize how a particular perspective or selection of facts can lead to a particular understanding (e.g. Whats not being said/included?)

(Poulson & Wallace, 2004, p.25)

Type of literatureCommon featuresSome potential limitations of claims to knowledge things to look out for!!!

Lets have a go

Firstly, some contextual backgroundMy Research TopicA comparative investigation of the use and impact of Bislama (pidgin English) and Merelav (provincial language of Mere Lava) as the medium of instruction on the learning and teaching of English as a foreign language in two primary school sites in Vanuatu; one on the island of Gaua (where only Bislama and English is used), the other on the island of Mere Lava (where only Merelav and English is used).

Two research articles:Siegel, J. (1997). Using pidgin language in formal education: Help or hindrance? Applied Linguistics, 18(1), 86-100.Why 1997? Its tooooooo old!!!!!

Willans, F. (2011). Classroom code-switching in a Vanuatu secondary school: Conflict between policy and practice. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 14(1), 23-38.

So lets start doing some critical reading

Siegel (1997) & Willans (2011)So how can we start pulling all this together?

Refer to .docxCritical analytical thinking when writing means actively applying the followingIdentifying and presenting the significance of the topic/issue or point/argumentBeing clear what your conclusions areShowing a clear line of reasoning an argument leading to a conclusionPresenting evidence to support your reasoningWeigh up and evaluate one piece of information against another and show the relevance of links between pieces of informationViewing your topic/subject/issue from multiple perspectivesReading your own writing critically (critical reading), along with your sources of information and literary evidenceRespecting others as people at all times. Challenging others work to find a better way of doing things is acceptable, but indulging in destructive criticism of others work and their worth as people just to demonstrate your intellectual prowess at their expense is not.Adapted from: Cottrell, 2008, p.276,286; Poulson & Wallace, 2004, p.5Some useful adviceAs a self-critical writer you will wish to protect your writing from the criticism of the critical readers who are assessing it. You should be cautious about asserting greater certainty over your claims to knowledge than you have evidence to support, and about making broad generalisations except perhaps at a high level of abstraction.

(Poulson & Wallace, 2004, p.19)

(Poulson & Wallace, 2004, p.7)

Useful comparisons(Poulson & Wallace, 2004, p.8)

Profile of a typical academic who assesses your writing:

Profile of a typical academic who assesses your writing(Poulson & Wallace, 2004, p.8)

Cottrell, S. (2008). The study skills handbook (3Ed). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Poulson, L. and Wallace, M. (2004). Chapter 1: Critical reading for self-critical writing. In Poulson, L. and Wallace, M. (eds). Learning to read critically in teachiing and learning. SAGE Research Methods Online, pp. 2-40

References