Critical Thinking and

Problem Solving
Atta Ur Rehman Jadoon
Critical thinking
• …is the ability to analyze,
evaluate, and interpret
information objectively to make
reasoned decisions.
• …involves questioning
assumptions, assessing
evidence, identifying biases,
and considering alternative
perspectives before reaching a
conclusion.
Key Aspects of Critical Thinking
• Breaking down complex information into smaller
Analysis components to understand relationships and
patterns.
• Assessing the credibility and reliability of
Evaluation information sources.
• Drawing logical conclusions based on available
Inference evidence.
Problem- • Using logical reasoning to develop solutions to
Solving challenges.
Open- • Considering multiple viewpoints without bias.
Mindedness
• Presenting arguments and ideas clearly and
Communicatio effectively.
n
Why is Critical Thinking Important?
• Helps individuals make informed
choices rather than relying on
emotions or assumptions.
• Encourages innovative solutions
by questioning conventional
thinking.
• Enables individuals to
differentiate facts from
misleading or biased
information.
Critical thinking is essential in research, business, science,
and everyday life.
Critical thinking is…
• …a foundational skill that empowers individuals to think
independently, solve problems effectively, and make
well-reasoned decisions.
• ….not about rejecting ideas but about analyzing them
thoroughly to determine their validity and impact
Problem-solving is…
• Process of identifying,
analyzing, and resolving
challenges or obstacles
using logical reasoning,
critical thinking, and
creativity

Problem-Solving is a fundamental skill used in

various aspects of life, from daily decision-making
to complex technical or business challenges.
Key Steps in Problem-Solving
Key Steps in Problem-Solving

Identifying the Gathering Analyzing the

Problem Information Problem

Evaluating and
Generating Implementing
Selecting a
Solutions the Solution
Solution

Reviewing and
Refining
 • Clearly defining the issue and
Identifying the Problem understanding its scope.
• Collecting relevant data, facts, and
Gathering Information insights.
• Breaking down the issue into
Analyzing the Problem manageable parts to understand its
root cause.
• Brainstorming multiple possible
Generating Solutions solutions
Evaluating and • Assessing the feasibility and impact of
Selecting a Solution different solutions
Implementing the • Taking action to apply the chosen
Solution solution.
• Monitoring results and making
Reviewing and Refining adjustments if necessary.
Critical Thinking and Problem
Solving
• Closely interrelated cognitive skills essential for making
effective decisions, analyzing complex situations, and
devising innovative solutions.

• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving • enhances this
• focuses on process by
identifying ensuring that
challenges and decisions are
finding well-reasoned,
solutions. logical, and free
from biases.
Critical Thinking Supporting Problem
Solving
Foundation of Problem-Solving
Logical Analysis and Decision-
Making
Overcoming Biases and
Assumptions
Creativity and Innovation
Continuous Evaluation and
Improvement
Critical Thinking Supporting Problem
Solving
Foundation of Problem-
Solving
• Problem-solving begins with
Without critical recognizing an issue and defining it
thinking, problem- clearly.
solving may be • Critical thinking plays a crucial role in
based on flawed this step by encouraging individuals
reasoning, leading to analyze the problem objectively,
to ineffective question assumptions, and gather
solutions. relevant information.
Critical Thinking Supporting Problem
Solving
Logical Analysis and
Decision-Making
• Once a problem is identified,
problem-solving involves
generating potential solutions.
 Critical thinking enhances this stage by enabling
individuals to assess different solutions based on
logic, feasibility, and potential risks.
 Critical thinking also encourages comparing
alternatives and selecting the most effective course
of action
Critical Thinking Supporting Problem
Solving
Overcoming Biases and
Assumptions
• Effective problem-solving requires
unbiased thinking.

 Critical thinking helps individuals recognize and

challenge cognitive biases that might lead to poor
decision-making.
 Critical thinking encourages open-mindedness and
the ability to consider diverse perspectives.
Critical Thinking Supporting Problem
Solving
Creativity and Innovation
• While problem-solving involves
finding solutions, critical thinking
fosters creativity by encouraging
individuals to think outside the box
and explore unconventional ideas.
 Critical thinking challenges existing methods and
leads to innovative solutions.
Critical Thinking Supporting Problem
Solving
Continuous Evaluation and
Improvement
• Problem-solving is not a one-time
process but an ongoing effort that
requires feedback and refinement.
 Critical thinking ensures that solutions are
continuously evaluated, tested, and improved.
In short…
• Critical thinking and problem-solving are inseparable.
To sum up…
• Critical thinking provides the analytical
foundation needed to
• approach problems logically
• make informed decisions, and
• develop creative solutions
• In fields like electrical engineering and
computing, these skills are essential for
troubleshooting, innovation, and optimizing
processes.
• By cultivating both, you can enhance your
ability to tackle challenges efficiently and
effectively.
Exercise
Critical Thinking and
Problem Solving
Atta Ur Rehman Jadoon
Improving an AI Model’s Accuracy

A tech startup is developing an AI-based medical

diagnosis tool, but its prediction accuracy is only 65%,
which is too low for reliable patient analysis.
Key Steps in Problem-Solving

Identifying the Gathering Analyzing the

Problem Information Problem

Evaluating and
Generating Implementing
Selecting a
Solutions the Solution
Solution

Reviewing and
Refining
 Identifying the
Problem
• Clearly defining • Developers notice that the AI model
the issue and often misclassifies diseases due to
understanding its insufficient training data and biases
scope. in dataset distribution.
 Gathering
Information
• Collecting • Analyzing model performance
relevant data, metrics such as precision, recall,
facts, and and F1-score.
insights. • Reviewing the dataset to check for
imbalances in different disease
categories.
• Consulting medical professionals to
ensure correct feature selection.
 Analyzing the
Problem
• Breaking down • The team identifies two major
the issue into issues:
manageable parts • The training dataset is imbalanced,
to understand its with more common diseases well-
root cause. represented but rare diseases
lacking data.
• The model overfits, meaning it
performs well on training data but
poorly on real-world cases.
 Generating
Solutions
• Brainstorming • Potential solutions include:
multiple possible 1. Augmenting the dataset with
solutions synthetic data or additional real-
world samples.
2. Fine-tuning the model using
regularization techniques.
3. Using ensemble learning to
combine multiple models for
better accuracy.
 Evaluating and Selecting a
Solution
• Assessing the • Data augmentation is the most
feasibility and effective but requires access to
impact of more medical data.
different solutions • Regularization can improve
generalization but may not fully
solve the bias issue.
• Ensemble learning offers an
immediate improvement by
leveraging multiple models
The team decides on a combination of
data augmentation and ensemble
learning.
 Implementing the Solution
• Taking action to • New medical records are sourced
apply the chosen and used to rebalance the dataset.
solution. • The model is retrained using
ensemble methods, integrating
multiple AI models.
 Reviewing and Refining
• Monitoring results • After retraining, accuracy improves
and making from 65% to 90%.
adjustments if • Model predictions are cross-checked
necessary. with medical experts.
• Regular updates ensure continued
performance improvements.
Importance of Problem-Solving

Helps in making informed decisions.

Encourages logical thinking and creativity.

Improves efficiency and productivity.

Essential in professional fields like engineering,

business, and computing.
In short
• Problem-solving is a crucial life skill that enhances
critical thinking, adaptability, and decision-making
abilities, enabling individuals to navigate challenges
effectively.
Unleashing Creativity: The
Innovation Cycle
• What is innovation?
• What is the primary focus of the innovation process?
• What initiates the innovation cycle, and how does the process of
thinking about solutions unfold?
• What is the role of a prototype?
• Why to make multiple prototypes before finalizing a design?
• What significance does testing hold in the innovation cycle, and
what can be gained from this phase of the process?
• How does iterative nature of innovation encourage individuals to
view failures, and what is the recommended approach for refining
ideas based on these failures?