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Teaching Critical Analysis Skills with Analysis Briefs: What They are and How They Work

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2008

Yvette M. Alex-Assensoh
Yvette M. Alex-Assensoh
Affiliation:
Indiana University–Bloomington
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Extract

Critical analysis, which is defined as the reasoned and logical process of skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information (Scriven and Paul 2001), is at the heart of the research process that propels our profession's knowledge-base forward. In this essay, I describe an effective method that I developed to help inculcate and hone students' critical analysis skills. Indeed, critical analysis skills are crucial foundational skills necessary for all students, especially those who intend to thrive successfully as researchers in our profession.I am grateful to A.B. Assensoh, Joan Middendorf and the three anonymous reviewers, respectively, who offered helpful comments on earlier versions of this essay.

Type
THE TEACHER
Information
PS: Political Science & Politics , Volume 41 , Issue 1 , January 2008 , pp. 189 - 192
Copyright
© 2008 The American Political Science Association

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References

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