CAD Center for Academic Development | Al Akhawayn University

SSK 1202 - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Exams

As part of the assessment his course content includes two exams; a midterm and a final. The midterm and final exams will include questions of knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

The exams will take 50 minutes and contain three sections:
Section 1: Matching/Multiple Choice
                 10 items
                 10 minutes
Section 2: Short Answer (1-2 sentences)
                 3 of 5 items
                 15 minutes
Section 3: Essay answer (1-5 paragraphs)
                 1 of 3 items
                 25 minutes

Examination questions will be derived from critical reading tasks, problem solving tasks, vocabulary, and required reading. .

Section 1: Matching/Multiple Choice

(10 items; 10 minutes; 10 points)

Instructions: Match the headword with its definition.

1. Authority	a) Thinking which can be oriented or structured with different issues or purposes in mind.
2. Relevant	b) Any error in reasoning; any flaw or defect in argument.
3. Domains of thought	c) The assumption that one's own social group is inherently and self-evidently superior to all others.
4. Proof	d) The willingness and consciousness of the need to pursue intellectual insights and truths despite difficulties, obstacles and frustrations
5. Fallacy	e) Willingness and consciousness of the need to entertain all viewpoints sympathetically.
6. Sociocentricity	f) Any belief or conclusion reached on the basis of careful thought and reflection, distinguished from mere or unreasoned opinion on the one hand, and from sheer fact on the other.
7. Intellectual perseverance	g) The power or supposed right to give commands, enforceobedience, take action, or make final decisions. A person with much knowledge and expertise in a field, hence reliable.
8. Intellectual sense of justice	h) Deceiving one's self about one's true motivations, character, identity, etc.
9. Reasoned judgement	i) Evidence or reasoning so strong or certain as to demonstrate the truth or acceptability of a conclusion beyond a reasonable doubt.
10. Self deception	j) Bearing upon or relating to the matter at hand

Score: ___/10

Section 2: Short Answer

(1 paragraph, 3 of 5 items; 20 minutes; 15 points)

Instructions: Look at your notes and answer three (3) of the following questions.

1. Of the twelve steps for survey-based research, which ones did
you omit from your study on cheating? How did this affect your project?
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Score: ___/5

2. If you were investigating a problem concerning students at Al Akhawayn
      University in Ifrane, what sample size would you use? What would be the
      sample characteristics? Why?
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Score: ___/5

3. Use your notes on the article “Positive & Negative Liberties in Three
      Dimensions” to define the three dimensions. Where do you stand
      in these three dimensions?
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Score: ___/5

4. According to the article “Values and Ethics”, does open mindedness
      mean that one must accept all points of view as being equal? Discuss
      your answer to this question.
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Score: ___/5

5. The article “Assessing Test-Taking Skills” gives five methods of
      examining test taking skills. Are all of these methods equally valid?
      Explain your point of view.
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Score: ___/15

Section 3: Essay answer

(1-5 paragraphs; 1 of 3 items; 30 minutes; 25 points)

Instructions: Use your notes to answer one (1) of the following questions in your own words:

1. Critical Reading Module 4 looks at surveying. Explain the procedures for
undertaking a reliable and valid academic survey. Try to condense the
12 steps into no more than five or six major considerations.
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Score: ___/25

2. Critical Reading Module 5 looks at bias. Define the concept “bias”.
      How do academics work to avoid bias in their research?
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Score: ___/25

3. Critical Reading Module 6 looks at test taking skills. Describe how
       you would investigate the test taking skills of students at Al Akhawayn
       University in Ifrane.
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Score: ___/25