PART 1 Critical Thinking
CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Critical Thinking2
1 Definition2
2 Intellectual standards5
2.1 Clarity6
2.2 Accuracy8
2.3 Relevance 11
2.4 Depth12
2.5 Breadth 13
2.6 Fairness14
3 Elements of thought 16
3.1 Purpose, goal, or objective17
3.2 Questions19
3.3 Information19
3.4 Inferences 20
3.5 Assumptions 21
3.6 Points of view23
3.7 Concepts and theories24
3.8 Implications and consequences 25 CHAPTER 2 Basics of Arguments28
1 Definition of arguments28
2 Structure of arguments 32
2.1 Identifying premises and the conclusion33
2.2 Identifying hidden premises34
2.3 Puting arguments in standard form37
2.4 Analyzing complex arguments39
3 From evidence to caim42
3.1 Defining evidence42
3.2 Evaluating evidence 44
3.3 Linking evidence to claim47
3.4 Qualifying the claim50
4 Counterarguments and rebuttals52
4.1 Why include counterarguments?52
4.2 How to address counterarguments?53 CHAPTER 3 Written Arguments59
1 Focusing the topic60
2 Formulating the thesis64
3 Planning the argument69
3.1 Aligning the structure with the argument type69
3.2 Finding the right order for major points74
4 Developing body paragraphs77
5 Introducing and concluding the argument81
5.1 Introduction81
5.2 Conclusion84
6 Creating logical flow86
6.1 Using transitional words or phrases88
6.2 Using pointing words 89
6.3 Repeating90 CHAPTER 4 Deductive and Inductive Arguments 94
1 Deductive reasoning94
1.1 Defining and evaluating deductive arguments 94
1.2 Common forms of deductive arguments96
2 Inductive reasoning99
2.1 Defining and evaluating inductive arguments100
2.2 Common types of inductive arguments101
3 Key distinctions between deductive and inductive arguments 105
4 Fallacious arguments108
4.1 Appeal to emotion109
4.2 Bandwagon110
4.3 Circular reasoning110
4.4 False analogy111
4.5 Hasty generalization112
4.6 Red herring112
4.7 False cause113 CHAPTER 5 Logical Reasoning in Scientific Research116
1 Deduction and induction in research116
1.1 Deductive research approach116
1.2 Inductive research approach118
1.3 Hypothetico-deductive approach121
2 Inference to the best explanation122
3 Research methods: qualitative and quantitative127
3.1 Qualitative research128
3.2 Quantitative research130
3.3 Mixed methods135 PART 2 Critical Reading and Academic Writing
CHAPTER 6 Overview140
1 Critical reading and academic writing140
2 Stages of writing a research paper142 CHAPTER 7 Research Papers146
1 Title 147
1.1 Features of the title147
1.2 Forms of the title149
2 Abstract150
2.1 Types of abstracts150
2.2 Components of the Abstract152
2.3 Writing style of the Abstract153
2.4 High-frequency words and phrases154
3 Introduction155
3.1 Components of the Introduction155
3.2 General-specific structure160
4 Literature Review163
4.1 How to review literature?163
4.2 How to organize the Literature Review?167
4.3 Theoretical framework168
5 Methods171
5.1 Components of the Methods171
5.2 How to organize the Methods?175
5.3 How to justify the methods?176
6 Results 178
6.1 Components of the Results179
6.2 How to organize the Results?181
6.3 How to present the data in the Results? 182
7 Discussion183
7.1 Components of the Discussion184
7.2 How to present the limitations of the study?189
8 Conclusions191
9 Acknowledgments193
10 References194
11 Appendix 194 CHAPTER 8 Finding, Evaluating, and Recording Sources197
1 Finding sources198
1.1 Types of sources 198
1.2 How to find sources?200
2 Evaluating sources205
2.1 Evaluating the source itself 205
2.2 Evaluating the content of the source209
3 Annotated bibliography 211
3.1 Types of annotations211
3.2 Writing styles of annotated bibliography 215 CHAPTER 9 Reading a Paper Critically 216
1 Reading a research paper efficiently217
1.1 Analyzing the title and interrogating the abstract217
1.2 Reading for general understanding219
1.3 Focusing on a particular section for particular information221
2 Reading a research paper critically223
2.1 Reading critically for in-depth understanding224
2.2 Reading critically for appraisal 226
2.3 Writing critical appraisal 237
3 Taking quality notes241
3.1 Methods of note-taking242
3.2 Ways to manage notes244 CHAPTER 10 Using Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism248
1 Using sources effectively and appropriately248
1.1 What is source use? 248
1.2 Citations,reference list, and style 250
1.3 Source use steps252
1.4 How to use sources effectively and appropriately?255
1.5 When to references?258
2 Avoiding plagiarism 259
2.1 What is plagiarism?259
2.2 How to avoid plagiarism?262 CHAPTER 11 Incorporating Sources265
1 How to incorporate sources?265
1.1 The toolbox265
1.2 Guidelines for incorporating sources properly266
1.3 Some language features267
1.4 The anatomy of a source use example268
2 Quoting properly270
2.1 When to use direct quotations? 271
2.2 Limits on direct quotations272
2.3 Principles for quoting272
3 Paraphrasing properly273
3.1 Features of proper paraphrase 273
3.2 Text transformation in paraphrasing274
3.3 Appropriate use of source text279
4 Summarizing properly 282
4.1 How to summarize properly?283
4.2 How to write a summary that suits your need?284
5 Synthesizing properly285
5.1 What is synthesizing?285
5.2 How to synthesize properly?286
PART 3 Academic Conferences CHAPTER 12 Calls for Papers292
1 Academic conferences and calls for papers292
2 Information contained in a CFP294
3 Tips on finding CFPs296
4 Avoiding predatory conferences298
4.1 What are predatory conferences?298
4.2 How to avoid predatory conferences?299
5 Responding to a CFP301
5.1 Differences between conference abstract and conference proposal301
5.2 Differences between article abstract and conference abstract proposal.302
5.3 Writing a conference abstract/proposal303 CHAPTER 13 Oral Presentation of an Academic Paper 307
1 Planning oral presentations308
1.1 Preliminary preparation309
1.2 Content preparaticn310
1.3 Structure of oral presentations311
1.4 Language used in oral presentations 319
2 Making slides 321
2.1 Speaking instead of showing slides321
2.2 Striving for simplicity 322
2.3 Structuring the slides322
2.4 Maintaining consistency324
2.5 Using appropriate non-textual formats324
2.6 Selecting appropriate fonts325
2.7 Using color judiciously 325
3 Delivering presentations325
3.1 Anxiety management 326
3.2 Vocal delivery327
3.3 Visual delivery329 CHAPTER 14 Poster Presentation of an Academic Paper 335
1 Academic posters335
2 Differences between oral and poster presentations336
3 Significance of poster presentations337
4 Basic steps of poster presentations338
4.1 Selecting content 338
4.2 Designing the poster345
4.3 Presenting effectively352 CHAPTER 15 Taking Notes at Conferences 357
1 Why take notes at conferences? 357
2 What makes good notes?358
3 Common note-taking methods 359
3.1 The outlining method 360
3.2 The mind-mapping method361
3.3 The Cornell method362
3.4 The charting method364
4 Which note-taking method is the best? 365