Critical Thinking - by Peter M Nardi (Paperback)

About the Book

"Critical Thinking: A Methodology for Interpreting Information 'deconstructs' common errors in thinking and teaches students to become smarter consumers of research results. Written to complement a textbook or a collection of readings, this brief methods book strengthens students' ability to interpret information whenever and wherever data are used. It includes a wide range of examples along with end of chapter exercises for further discussion. This book will be a coursebook for the undergraduate social science courses where critical thinking, numeracy, and data literacy are common learning objectives"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Critical Thinking prepares students to thoughtfully interpret information and develop a sophisticated understanding of our increasingly complex and multi-mediated world. Peter M. Nardi's approach helps students sharpen their critical thinking skills and improve their analytical reasoning, enabling them to ward off gullibility, develop insightful skepticism, and ask the right questions about material online, in the mass media, or in scholarly publications. Students will learn to understand common errors in thinking; create reliable and valid research methodologies; understand social science concepts needed to make sense of popular and academic claims; and communicate, apply, and integrate the methods learned in both research and daily life.

A companion website includes links to articles and books mentioned in the chapters, illustrative items, videos, and current news and research that elaborate on each chapter's key concepts.

From the Back Cover

"At once rigorous and entertaining, thorough and precise, Peter Nardi's book provides an invaluable toolbox for everyone who wants to free themselves of needless fears, misinterpretations, and mental manipulation by politicians, marketers, and pseudo experts in the news media."--Barry Glassner, Lewis & Clark College and author of the bestselling book The Culture of Fear

Review Quotes

"Clear and concise, ... this book is helpful for anyone looking to enhance their critical thinking skills."-- "University of Houston Law Center O'Quinn Law Library"

About the Author

Peter M. Nardi is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Pitzer College. He is the author of Doing Survey Research: A Guide to Quantitative Methods.