Critical Thinking
General definition:
The careful examination and evaluation of beliefs and actions to establish an independent decision about what is true and what is not.
The process of independently analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information as a guide to behavior and beliefs.
The American Philosophical Association has defined critical thinking as;
"the process of purposeful, self-regulatory judgment. The process gives reasoned consideration to evidence, contexts, conceptualizations, methods, and criteria" (1990).
Critical thinking skills include the ability to interpret, verify, and reason, all of which involve applying the principles of logic.