Making Sense of Data and Information

1Becoming a critical thinker

Why are some people better than others at problem solving and decision making? One important characteristic that differentiates effective decision makers is their ability to think critically. Managers who are critical thinkers use information, both qualitative and quantitative, to help arrive at and to present the most reasonable and justifiable position that is possible.

To many of us the numbers can be a turn off. We can deal with headlines like a 70% increase, but after that our interest begins to wane. The danger is that we accept things at face value rather than try to untangle the numbers to gain a truer picture. Consider the following:

Sleight of statistic

Headline: 5,000 extra police pledged

In actual fact: ...