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Description

Critical Thinking: Assessing Information, Countering Bias and Building Arguments

Two days to examine information before accepting it and to build arguments that hold up

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Business decisions often rest on figures passed on without context, partial feedback and convictions shared too quickly. Without a method, everyone retains what confirms their own view and meetings end on the opinion of the most confident voice.

This 14-hour programme provides clear reference points for examining information before using it. Participants learn to situate a source, to distinguish fact from opinion and interpretation, to identify the biases that shape their judgement and to build a sound argument. Exercises are based on everyday business documents.

Learning objectives

  • Distinguish between a fact, an opinion and an interpretation within a document
  • Assess the reliability of a source and the context in which data was produced
  • Identify the reasoning biases that shape your own judgement
  • Spot the weaknesses in an argument presented in a meeting
  • Build reasoning supported by verifiable evidence

What makes this programme different

Business documents brought in by participants and analysed line by line
A structured debate in which each participant defends the position opposite to their own
A question checklist to apply before passing on any information

Programme

1Examining information

Source, context and nature of a statement

  • Distinguishing between fact, opinion and interpretation
  • Identifying the author and their intent
  • Establishing the context in which data was produced
  • Questions to ask before passing on information

2Recognising your own biases

What shapes judgement

  • The tendency to retain what confirms your own view
  • The effect of the first figure heard on an estimate
  • The weight of a striking anecdote against the data
  • The influence of the group on taking a position

3Analysing an argument

Structure and weaknesses of reasoning

  • Identifying premises and conclusion
  • Confusing correlation with causation
  • Generalising from an isolated case
  • Attacking the person rather than the argument

4Building and defending a position

From analysis to argument

  • Selecting relevant items of evidence
  • Stating a position and its limits
  • Anticipating objections
  • Conducting an adversarial discussion without discrediting others

Who is it for

Anyone required to analyse information or prepare decisions, in particular support functions, research and analysis officers, managers and communication professionals.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.