Critical Thinking In Action: Assignment Background And What ✓ Solved

Critical Thinking In Actionassignmentbackground What Is Critical Thin

Critical Thinking in Action Assignment Background: What is Critical Thinking? The head of your organization pulled you aside and asked you to review a workplace dispute (which is attached below). She said, “Apply your best critical thinking to figure out what happened and what decision is called for to remedy this situation.” She wants your analysis in the next two weeks. To begin, let’s consider what it means to engage in critical thinking. While the application of critical thinking may vary across disciplines, the steps are universal. Adapted from the writings of Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, and Wallace (2011); Lau (2011); and Lau and Chan (2015), critical thinking involves thinking clearly and systematically, and encompasses formulating ideas succinctly and precisely; identifying the relevance and importance of ideas; understanding the logical connections between ideas; identifying, constructing, and evaluating arguments, claims, and evidence; recognizing explicit and implicit assumptions, arguments, and biases; detecting inconsistencies and common mistakes in reasoning; formulating clear defensible ideas and conclusions; evaluating the pros and cons of decisions; reflecting on one’s own beliefs and values; and applying ethical decision making. The steps involved in critical thinking can be employed universally, in the analysis of all thoughts and actions—whether you are analyzing documents, ideas, assertions, or the quality of decisions/solutions.

The Assignment: Step 1: Review the TGS Critical Thinking Rubric (found in its own module on the class’s Content page). This rubric is intended to serve as a framework for critical thinking. Use it to structure your thinking for this assignment and for others in your studies at UMUC. The framework (as delineated in the rubric) is based on four key steps, each of which has several sub-steps. Identify and clearly explain the main issue or problem under critical consideration. Gather and analyze information to explore/investigate the issue or problem. Consider and analyze other possible viewpoints, conclusions, or decision/solutions to the issue or problem. Develop well-reasoned ideas, conclusions, and/or decisions/solutions, checking them against relevant criteria and benchmarks.

Step 2: Read the attached case, and analyze it using the framework provided by the TGS Critical Thinking Rubric. Use the rubric’s four key steps as the format framework of a short position paper (details in the “Deliverables” section). Employ the sub-steps within each of the four key steps to further direct your analysis.

Assignment Deliverables: Write a short paper (no more than 4 pages/1,000 words, excluding the cover page and references) that critically analyzes the ideas or position presented in the case reading. The major sections of your paper should include the following:

Introduction: Explanation of the Issue or Problem

Analysis of the Information

Analysis of Alternative Viewpoints, Conclusions, or Solutions

Personal or Summarized Conclusions and Proposed Decisions

Conclusion

Follow these guidelines: Use the TGS Critical Thinking Rubric to guide your analysis. Use the TGS Written Communications Rubric to guide your writing. Draw in references from at least one reputable outside resource related to the topic to support your conclusions or proposed decisions. Employ APA Style 6th edition for format and citation guidance. Include a cover sheet with your name and the Turnitin.com originality score. Remember: Even though I have suggested the major sections for your short paper, you should still follow best practices for structuring the paper. An effective introduction grabs the reader’s attention and sets the tone and direction for the rest of the paper. In reading an introduction, the reader should have a clear idea of what will follow. Supporting paragraphs move the reader from the general introduction to the more specific aspects of your analysis in the paper. The body paragraphs show how the information you are providing supports and relates to your thesis. Paragraphs across and within sections need to effectively transition from one to the next. Each paragraph should include a topic sentence, which contains the main point of the paragraph. The conclusion (#6) brings to a close what you have presented in your paper. It should summarize what has been discussed and restate the main points of your analysis.

Assignment Submission: Submit your essay to your Assignment Folder on the due date. Label it in this manner: LAST NAME_Analysis_Spring 2016. Please upload a copy of your Originality Report to your LEO assignment folder as well.

References: Bassham, G.; Irwin, W.; Nardone, H.; & Wallace, J. (2011). Critical thinking: A student's introduction (4th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill. Fisher, A. (2011). Critical thinking: An introduction. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Hereford, Z. (2015). How to think critically and problem solve. Retrieved from [URL] Lau, J. (2011). An introduction to critical thinking and creativity: Think more, think better. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Lau, J., & Chan, J. (2015). What is critical thinking? Retrieved from [URL] Melillo, N. (2010). What is the relationship between critical thinking and ethics? Retrieved from [URL]