Critical Thinking Explanation

Critical Thinking Rubric EXPLANATION


Rating Critical & Integrative Thinking
Washington State University

1. Identifies, summarizes (and appropriately reformulates) the problem, question, or issue.
Emerging Developing Mastering
1 2 3 4 5 6
Does not attempt to or fails to identifyand summarize accurately.

Summarizes issue, though some aspects are incorrect or confused. Nuances and key details are missing or glossed over. Clearly identifies the challenge and subsidiary, embedded, or implicit aspects of the issue. Identifies integral relationships essential to analyzing the issue.

2. Identifies and considers the influence of context * and assumptions.
EmergingDeveloping Mastering
1 2 3 4 5 6
Approach to the issue is in egocentric or socio-centric terms. Does not relate issue to other contexts (cultural, political, historical, etc.).
Presents and explores relevant contexts and assumptions regarding the issue, although in a limited way.
Analyzes the issuewith a clear sense of scope and context, including an assessment of audience. Considers other integral contexts.

Analysis is grounded in absolutes, with little acknowledgment of own biases.
Analysis includes some outside verification, but primarily relies on established authorities. Analysis acknowledges complexity and bias of vantage and values, although may elect to hold to bias in context.Does not recognize context or surface assumptions and underlying ethical implications, or does so superficially. Provides some recognition of context and consideration of assumptions and their implications. Identifies influence of context and questions assumptions, addressing ethical dimensions underlying the issue.
Cultural/social
Group, national, ethnic behavior/attitude ScientificConceptual, basic science, scientific method
Educational
Schooling, formal training Economic
Trade, business concerns costs
Technological
Applied science, engineering Ethical
Values
Political
Organizational or governmental Personal Experience
Personal observation, informal character
Contexts may include

3. Develops, presents, and communicates OWN perspective, hypothesis orposition.
Emerging Developing Mastering
1 2 3 4 5 6
Position or hypothesis is clearly inherited or adopted with little original consideration. Position includes some original thinking that acknowledges, refutes, synthesizes or extends other assertions, although some aspects may have been adopted.
Position demonstrates ownership for constructingknowledge or framing original questions, integrating objective analysis and intuition.
Addresses a single source or view of the argument, failing to clarify the established position relative to one’s own.
Presents own position or hypothesis, though inconsistently.


Appropriately identifies own position on the issue, drawing support from experience, and information not available from assignedsources.
Fails to present and justify own opinion or forward hypothesis.
Presents and justifies own position without addressing other views, or does so superficially. Clearly presents and justifies own view or hypothesis while qualifying or integrating contrary views or interpretations.

Position or hypothesis is unclear or simplistic. Position or hypothesis is generally clear, although gapsmay exist. Position or hypothesis demonstrates sophisticated, integrative thought and is developed clearly throughout.








4. Presents, assesses, and analyzes appropriate supporting data/evidence.
Emerging Developing Mastering
1 2 3 4 5 6
No evidence of search, selection or source evaluation skills. Demonstrates...