What is this thing called Critical Thinking? Perspectives from business school academics

D'Northwood, Gavin; Rattray, Julie

Abstract

In our ever-changing and complex world, we encounter difficult problems that demand sophisticated solutions. Critical thinking, a vital skill for modern survival, lies at the heart of higher education. It is what we should develop in students, arguably a concept that defines higher education. Critical thinking, however, is subject to wide interpretation and definition. This paper explores how business school academics conceptualise critical thinking in relation to final-year undergraduate students. Thematic analysis identified three core themes that combine to critical thinking as concept in the business school context, namely critical thinking as skills (predominantly of argumentation), critical thinking as dispositions (scepticism, open-mindedness, flexibility), and critical thinking as originality (creativity, contribution). Whilst the inclusion of skills and dispositions are confirmatory in line with broader conceptualisations of critical thinking in higher education, originality forms an additional if contested and nuanced component.

Citation

D'Northwood, G., & Rattray, J. (online). What is this thing called Critical Thinking? Perspectives from business school academics. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2024.2422310

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 30, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 9, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 15, 2024
• Journal: Innovations in Education and Teaching International
• Print ISSN: 1470-3297
• Electronic ISSN: 1470-3300
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2024.2422310
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2951477