Overview of Critical Thinking: Research Paper Example

Introduction

Critical thinking is a critical tool that aids us in improving how we analyze and evaluate thinking. It aims at removing the distortion, biasness, and partiality in the way we think since the quality of everything we entirely depend on how we think (Paul & Elder, 2013). Critical thinking is the ability to objectively evaluate an issue to come up with an ideal judgment. The elements of thought ought to guide one's thinking process to ensure that the result of the decisions made is appropriate and that they create excellent results. Intellectual standards are equally important as they ensure that all the information provided by a thinker are appropriate and meet the requirements needed in a research process. The information on critical thinking has made me understand the importance of not just thinking but having a clear structure on how to lay out my thought process in order to deliver the best from it.

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Purpose

My proposed research topic is how to end recidivism in the United States, and I chose this topic because it has a direct tie with my personal experience. My goal is how to teach the youths on the signs of social injustice and how they can prevent it. Another objective is to come up with ideal measures on how the government can end recidivism.

Key Questions

My proposed research topic will answer the following research questions. Do restorative practices lower recidivism rates compared to the traditional system? What measures should the government put in place to reduce the chances of the youth engaging in repeated criminal activities? Do long jail terms have any significant impact on the recidivism? What role does the community have in the integration of those released from the prisons? The problem presented by this research topic is the tendency of convicted criminals to re-offend or to relapse into their previous behaviors. The issue of recidivism has existed for a long time, and there is a need to come up with an effective solution on how to reduce its recurrence.

Information

Concerning the information, I have data on the number of people who are incarcerated in the United States, their percentage in terms of race, and those who get reincarcerated after they are released from the prisons. There is also information on the category of criminal activities that lead to the conviction of the felons. There is also information on the average time these felons take to be reconvicted. The information I do not have but for which I would need is what motivates these people to engage in the criminal activities for which they had been convicted.

Concepts

The concept that I think will best address the problem of recidivism is through government policies. The government should come up with better ways of rehabilitating convicted felons so that they can smoothly integrate into society when released from prisons. To understand the better ways of addressing the problem, information is needed on the social and professional background of the criminals.

Assumptions

The following are some of the major assumptions in the research. The first assumption is that all the respondents in the study understand and are able to read and respond to the English language used in the questionnaires. The second assumption is that no one is falsely convicted. The third assumption is that all the respondents questioned in the research would provide the correct information. The last assumption is that what goes on in prison does not really affect an inmate's pattern of offending after prison.

Implications and Consequences

The proposed solution to the problem of recidivism education training and employment of the offenders to reduce crime and prevent re-offending. Treatment of mental illness is another possible solution to the problem. The implications of education are that the offenders will have something to do, and this will keep them away from criminal activities. Education is empowerment to them, and employment is even more. The potential consequence if this solution does not work is that the ex-offenders will have knowledge which they can use to develop themselves.

Point of View

My point of view is that prisons are not always required and that the government should recognize the critical role played by parole and probation in reducing the rates of crime. The other points of views that should be considered in addressing this problem is that the safety of people and communities should be kept. The criminals should be held accountable, and there should be consequences for illegal activities.

From the implications of the proposed solutions, it is clear that the solution would have more good than bad. Besides, the consequences are also positive, which implies that the solutions are ideal in dealing with the problem. The government should, therefore, ensure there are robust systems for the education, training, and employment of ex-offenders. They should also be treated so that they can be able to avoid engaging in repetitive criminal activities. The possible negative implication of using parole is that the public may be exposed to insecurities of these criminals whose intentions may not be clear.

Conclusion

The critical thinking framework by Paul and Elder sincerely apply to my research topic and problem. In trying to get solution for recidivism, you have to apply all the eight elements of thought if you were to achieve the best result. This is a problem that has been existent for a very long time, and to achieve some positive result, critical thinking element would be of great importance. By completing my research topic, I expect to gain further insight into the concept of recidivism by critically thinking about the theories, facts, and assumptions surrounding the problem.

Reference

Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2013). Critical thinking: Tools for taking charge of your professional and personal life. Pearson Education.