Critical Thinking

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Critical Thinking

• The ability to weigh evidence, examine arguments,
  and construct rational bases for beliefs.
• Also, to examine ones own reasoning processes to
  evaluate their appropriateness and effectiveness.

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• Not just the application of problem-solving
  strategies for a particular problem
• A truly critical thinker must be able to choose
  appropriate strategies and even create new ones
  when necessary
• How does critical thinking link with knowledge?

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• If knowledge means having the truth and knowing
  that you have it, then how do we know we have it?
• How does understanding affect knowledge?
• What is the path to knowledge?
• What about error and ignorance?
• Which is easier to deal with?
• How does knowledge impact policy outcomes?

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Perspectives of Policy Analysis

• The activity of creating knowledge of and in the
  policymaking process.

The Essential Link
Conduct of Social/physical inquiry
Human Conditions
Role of Knowledge
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• Improvements are contingent on available
  knowledge
• Human actions relate the available supply of
  knowledge to the human condition
• Social inquiries should seek to produce knowledge
  that can direct actions (policymaking) in ways
  that will produce the best possible conditions of
  life based on given human capacity and resources
• Policymaking is the action

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• Human actions, the generation of knowledge, are
  necessary for improving the condition of the
  quality of individual human life
• Human actions provide the connecting link between
  knowledge and available knowledge and therefore,
  the conditions of the population
• Policy is the nexus that connects actions and the
  set of assumptions that directs them

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• In the end, it is what the government does, and
  what the government ought to do
• A focus on the decisions that determine the
  direction of government action.
• Program evaluation is devoted to the assessment
  of how well existing policies or programs are, or
  are not, working what happened? What was the
  outcome?

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• Policy analysis refers to a future-looking
  orientation, where a course of action for the
  future is considered

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The Policy Analysis Process

• Problem Identification and Selection
• If possible, select a problem that can be solved
• Eliminate domestic violence, or
• Develop shelters and legal protections for victims

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• Problem Selection Criteria
• The number and distribution of people affected
• The significance of the effect
• The likelihood that decision makers assist in
  resolving the problem
• The likelihood the decision makers will use the
  analysis
• Is there enough time to do a credible job?
• Are there enough resources available?

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• Problem Definition
• Develop an understanding of the problem that
  ENABLES the development of effective solutions
• What causes can policymakers potentially change?
• Identify the variables

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Criteria/Alternative Matrix (CAM) Problems of
Prison Overcrowding