Argument Maps Improve Critical Thinking

2004/01/01 by Charles Twardy · 196 citations
Social Sciences · Psychology · Medicine · #Education and Critical Thinking Development #Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods #Online and Blended Learning #Argument (complex analysis) #Epistemology #Critical thinking #Philosophy #Sociology #Medicine

paper · open access · doi:10.5840/teachphil200427213

published in Teaching Philosophy 27(2), 95-116 (Philosophy Documentation Center)

openalex publication_date 2004/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Computer-based argument mapping greatly enhances student critical thinking, more than tripling absolute gains made by other methods. I describe the method and my experience as an outsider. Argument mapping often showed precisely how students were erring (for example: confusing helping premises for separate reasons), making it much easier for them to fix their errors.

Citations

• Interactive-engagement versus traditional methods: A six-thousand-student survey of mechanics test data for introductory physics courses
• Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences

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• Argument map [wikipedia]