Critical Thinking and Objectivity

The scientific method and critical thinking offer some level of objectivity, and as Browne and Keeley (2013) described, the systematic evaluation that is critical thinking, has the potential to produce applicable and useable results.  Researchers may be no more aware of the gate keeping provided by critical thinking than they are of their own biases.  Critical thinking can potentially help individuals question their own thoughts and understand personal biases, which may be an important step in becoming more aware of when these biases intrude and how to more effectively curtail their ability to skew information (Innes & Fraser, 1971).

Browne, M. N., & Keeley, S. M. (2013). Asking the right questions: A guide to critical thinking 9/e (Custom Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Innes, J. M., & Fraser, C. (1971). Experimenter bias and other possible biases in psychological research. European Journal Of Social Psychology, 1(3), 297-310.