Critical thinking, problem-solving and description

You have probably heard the term ‘critical thinking’ before. You may also have heard the terms ‘analysis’ or ‘critical analysis’, which refer to the same thing. Together with its close relative ‘problem-solving’, critical or analytical thinking is found high on the list of the abilities or qualities that universities want to develop in their students. More and more, your future prospective employers are listing ‘critical thinking’ as an important skill for employability. So what is involved in critical thinking and problem-solving? Perhaps the easiest way to understand what critical thinking is, is to consider what a critical thinker does.