Critical thinking—which is essentially careful thinking directed to a goal—is key to optimizing clinical research processes. Relying on independent and interdependent decision making, critical thinking also involves elements such as questioning, analysis, synthesis, interpretation, inference, inductive and deductive reasoning, intuition, application, and creativity.
“Critical thinking goes beyond common sense, requiring existing approaches and processes to be closely examined and questioned,” explains Ashley Bader, Clinical Research Nurse Manager at Tampa General Hospital. “Transparency and open communication are essential. Many barriers stand in the way of critical thinking, such as egocentric, sociocentric, wishful, self-validated, and selfish approaches to thinking.”
“To develop critical thinking skills, clinical researchers should not be afraid to ask questions and should dig around for as much information as possible,” adds Bader. “Thoughtful problem solving can lead to better decisions, improved research outcomes, and consistent patient safety. We all need to be aware of our own thought processes, taking care to examine biases and assumptions.”
“Clinical research can be continuously improved by critical thinking, including deliberately and systematically going through all available information to make the best decisions,” says Alecia Sorrells, MS, BSN, RN, Clinical Research Nurse at Tampa General Hospital. “Primarily, critical thinking is essential for safety, but it also enables us to gather evidence, develop and apply best practices, and provide accountable, quality care for study participants.”
Sorrells notes that critical thinking can be applied in all roles. “This skill set can also be used by leaders to develop team members, helping them become more self-sustaining, empowered, and confident,” she says.
Beyond the Protocol: Decision-Making and Critical Thinking in Clinical Research
Join Ashley and Alecia at ACRP 2025 [April 24-27; New Orleans, La.], will examine barriers impeding effective decision-making and critical thinking in clinical research, including cognitive biases and information overload. View complete schedule.
According to Bader and Sorrells, steps to improve critical thinking include:
- Always check your facts
- Think for yourself and learn to spot fallacies
- Be aware of mental processes, including biases and a tendency to take short-cuts
- Identify research “sources of truth,” such as policies, procedures, and regulatory guidances
- If guidance is vague, ask basic questions and examine the evidence
- Avoid doing yourself or your colleagues a disservice: be truthful if you do not know the answer to a question, and only perform a task once you know the right way to do it
Following these steps can enable clinical research professionals to navigate complexity and achieve impactful outcomes.
Edited by Jill Dawson
