Thinking Critically about Research: A Step by Step Approach

Description

We live in an age of unprecedented access to information. The last decade has seen an exponential growth in data and material available, often at the touch of a button. However, this has also made it harder to discern between fact and fiction. What is real and what is fake? What should we believe and what should we reject? In an environment of information overload, a distrust of experts, the circulation of misinformation and false facts, and public debates based upon poor evidence, Thinking Critically About Research comes at a vital juncture. The book is designed to help readers develop a critical understanding of evidence and the ways in which evidence is presented, and to challenge the information they receive in both academic and non-academic sources. The author presents a step-by-step approach with a focus on knowing methods, culminating in a bespoke ‘critical tool kit’ which offers a practical checklist designed to be used when carrying out research. Also containing learning features including tasks and worked examples, drawing on real research studies, this is an essential resource for students and researchers, and those putting research into practice, who want to have better critical thinking skills. Cover Half Title Title Copyright CONTENTS Acknowledgements Overview About this book About the author CHAPTER 1 Why do we need to be critical? STEP 1 KNOWING METHODS CHAPTER 2 Knowing the basics CHAPTER 3 Knowing design CHAPTER 4 Knowing measurement CHAPTER 5 Knowing data analysis STEP 2 THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT METHOD: WHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE? CHAPTER 6 Thinking critically about the basics CHAPTER 7 Thinking critically about design CHAPTER 8 Thinking critically about measurement CHAPTER 9 Thinking critically about data analysis CHAPTER 10 Thinking critically about theory STEP 3 THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT PRESENTATION: HOW IS EVIDENCE PRESENTED? CHAPTER 11 How is evidence presented? the use of persuasive strategies STEP 4 PULLING THIS ALL TOGETHER IN THE CRITICAL TOOL KIT CHAPTER 12 The critical tool kit and thinking critically in everyday life STEP 5 BEING EXTRA CRITICAL CHAPTER 13 Being extra critical: truth, disciplines, and thinking outside of the box Concluding remarks Further reading References Index