Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age from Coursera

Most professions these days require more than general intelligence. They require in addition the ability to collect, analyze and think about data. Personal life is enriched when these same skills are applied to problems in everyday life involving judgment and choice. This course presents basic concepts from statistics, probability, scientific methodology, cognitive psychology and cost-benefit theory and shows how they can be applied to everything from picking one product over another to critiquing media accounts of scientific research. Concepts are defined briefly and breezily and then applied to many examples drawn from business, the media and everyday life.

What kinds of things will you learn? Why it’s usually a mistake to interview people for a job. Why it’s highly unlikely that, if your first meal in a new restaurant is excellent, you will find the next meal to be as good. Why economists regularly walk out of movies and leave restaurant food uneaten. Why getting your picture on the cover of Sports Illustrated usually means your next season is going to be a disappointment. Why you might not have a disease even though you’ve tested positive for it. Why you’re never going to know how coffee affects you unless you conduct an experiment in which you flip a coin to determine whether you will have coffee on a given day. Why it might be a mistake to use an office in a building you own as opposed to having your office in someone else’s building. Why you should never keep a stock that’s going down in hopes that it will go back up and prevent you from losing any of your initial investment. Why it is that a great deal of health information presented in the media is misinformation.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Individuals and cultures can make themselves smarter. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, people have become enormously smarter. The Information Age requires a brand-new set of skills involving statistics, probability, cost-benefit analysis, principles of cognitive psychology, logic and dialectical reasoning.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Richard E. Nisbett, who is known for their work in social psychology

Develops essential skills for personal and professional success, including statistics, probability, scientific methodology, cognitive psychology, and cost-benefit theory

Covers a wide range of topics, from data analysis to decision-making, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter

Provides practical examples and applications, making the learning process engaging and relevant

Emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving, equipping learners with valuable cognitive skills

Requires basic numeracy and logical reasoning skills, making it accessible to a wide range of learners

May require additional resources or support for learners with limited exposure to statistics and probability

Reviews summary

Practical critical thinking skills

According to learners, this course offers a practical approach to improving thinking and decision-making skills. Students appreciate how it applies concepts from statistics, probability, and cognitive psychology to everyday life and professional situations. Many found the real-world examples and applications to be a major strength, helping them identify and correct biases in their own thinking. While covering a broad range of topics, the course is often described as providing a solid foundation rather than deep dives into complex mathematics. Some found the lectures clear and engaging, making complex ideas accessible.

Some statistics and probability involved.

"Be prepared for some basic statistics and probability concepts."

"While not overly math-heavy, familiarity with basic quantitative ideas is helpful."

"The statistical sections might require a bit more focus if you're not comfortable with numbers."

"Includes concepts like standard deviation, correlation, and base rates."

Good introduction, but maybe not deep.

"It gives a really solid foundation in several areas, though it doesn't go extremely deep."

"If you're looking for an introduction to these topics, this course is perfect."

"I felt like I got a good grasp of the main ideas without getting bogged down in heavy math."

"Provides a great starting point for understanding mindware principles."

Introduces statistics, bias, logic, etc.

"This course introduced me to statistical thinking, probability basics, and common cognitive biases."

"It provides a wide overview, touching on many different areas relevant to critical thinking."

"I appreciated learning about the concepts of correlation, regression, and various heuristics."

"The syllabus covers a broad range from statistical principles to decision-making strategies."

Complex ideas made accessible.

"The instructor does a great job of explaining complex topics in a clear and understandable way."

"I found the lectures easy to follow, even for concepts I was unfamiliar with."

"The explanations helped clarify difficult ideas from statistics and probability for me."

"The way the material is presented makes it quite accessible to someone new to these ideas."

Helps recognize flaws in thinking.

"Understanding cognitive biases was a key takeaway; I now recognize them in myself."

"The module on heuristics was particularly insightful and immediately applicable."

"Learning about common errors in judgment has genuinely changed how I approach decisions."

"The course helped me become more aware of how my own mind can play tricks."

Applies concepts to daily life & work.

"I learned practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work and daily life decisions."

"The course's strength lies in connecting theoretical concepts to real-world examples, making them highly relevant."

"It's amazing how much these principles apply to everyday situations I never considered before."

"I found myself thinking differently about news articles and personal choices after taking this course."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age with these activities:

Review probability concepts from high school or introductory courses.

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Ensure a solid foundation in probability by refreshing your knowledge of basic concepts.

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Review notes or textbooks from previous probability courses.
Take practice quizzes or solve problems.
Identify areas where you need additional clarification.

Solve statistics problems from textbooks

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Enhance your problem-solving skills and master statistical techniques through practice.

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Gather statistics textbooks with practice problems.
Select problems that align with the course material.
Solve the problems and check your answers.
Review incorrect answers and identify areas for improvement.

Follow online tutorials on scientific methodology

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Strengthen your understanding of scientific methodology by exploring interactive online tutorials.

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Search for reputable online resources offering tutorials on scientific methodology.
Select tutorials that cover topics relevant to the course.
Follow the instructions and complete the interactive exercises.
Take notes and revisit the tutorials for future reference.

11 other activities

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Compile a glossary of key statistical terms

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Enhance your understanding and retention of statistical concepts by creating your own glossary.

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Identify key statistical terms from the course material.
Define each term clearly and concisely.
Organize the terms alphabetically or by topic.
Review the glossary regularly to reinforce your understanding.

Practice Statistics Problems

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Increase your comfort with basic statistical concepts by practicing problem-solving.

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Find a practice problem set.
Solve the problems.
Check your answers.

Practice Probability Problems

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Strengthen your understanding of probability concepts through practice.

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Find a practice problem set.
Solve the problems.
Check your answers.

Learn about Cognitive Biases

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Deepen your understanding of cognitive biases and their impact on decision-making.

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Find reputable online resources on cognitive biases.
Watch videos or read articles about specific biases.
Reflect on how these biases might influence your own thinking.

Review Thinking, Fast and Slow

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Reinforce your understanding of behavioral economics concepts by reading Daniel Kahneman's renowned work.

View Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment on Amazon

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Read the book's introduction and first chapter.
Summarize the book's main arguments and supporting evidence.
Identify the biases and heuristics described in the book and provide examples from your own life.

Organize a study group with classmates

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Enhance your learning through collaborative discussions and knowledge sharing with peers.

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Reach out to classmates to form a study group.
Establish a regular meeting schedule and set a clear agenda.
Take turns leading discussions on specific topics.
Collaborate on solving problems and answering questions.

Write a Summary of a Course Lecture

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Improve your comprehension and retention by summarizing key points from a lecture.

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Choose a lecture to summarize.
Take notes during the lecture.
Write a summary of the lecture's main points.

Write a blog post on a statistical concept

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Solidify your understanding of statistical concepts by explaining them in a blog post for a non-technical audience.

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Choose a statistical concept to write about.
Research the concept and gather relevant data and examples.
Write a clear and concise blog post explaining the concept.
Edit and proofread your blog post before publishing it.

Conduct a Cost-Benefit Analysis

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Apply cost-benefit analysis principles to a real-world decision to enhance your analytical skills.

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Identify a decision you need to make.
List the costs and benefits of each option.
Calculate the net benefit of each option.
Make a decision based on the net benefits.

Design a Presentation on a Statistical Concept

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Solidify your understanding of a statistical concept by teaching it to others through a presentation.

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Choose a statistical concept to present.
Research the concept thoroughly.
Create a presentation that explains the concept clearly.
Practice your presentation.
Deliver your presentation to an audience.

Contribute to an open-source statistics project

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Gain practical experience and deepen your understanding by contributing to real-world statistical projects.

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Identify an open-source statistics project that aligns with your interests.
Familiarize yourself with the project's codebase and documentation.
Propose and implement a feature or improvement to the project.
Submit a pull request and collaborate with other contributors.

Career center

Learners who complete Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Statistician

Statisticians use their skills in statistics and probability to analyze data and draw conclusions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful statistician. You will learn how to collect and clean data, and how to use statistical methods to analyze it. You will also learn about the different types of statistical tools, and how to use them to draw conclusions from data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative analysts use their skills in statistics and probability to analyze data and make investment decisions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful quantitative analyst. You will learn how to collect and clean data, and how to use statistical methods to analyze it. You will also learn about the different types of quantitative analysis tools, and how to use them to make investment decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Data Analyst

Data analysts use their skills in statistics and probability to analyze data and identify trends. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful data analyst. You will learn how to collect and clean data, and how to use statistical methods to analyze it. You will also learn about the different types of data analysis tools, and how to use them to solve business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Risk Manager

Risk managers use their skills in statistics and probability to analyze data and identify risks. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful risk manager. You will learn how to collect and clean data, and how to use statistical methods to analyze it. You will also learn about the different types of risk management tools, and how to use them to identify and mitigate risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts use their skills in statistics and probability to analyze data and improve the efficiency of operations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful operations research analyst. You will learn how to collect and clean data, and how to use statistical methods to analyze it. You will also learn about the different types of operations research tools, and how to use them to solve business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use their skills in statistics and probability to analyze financial data and make investment recommendations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful financial analyst. You will learn how to collect and clean financial data, and how to use statistical methods to analyze it. You will also learn about the different types of financial analysis tools, and how to use them to make investment recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Web Analyst

Web analysts use their skills in statistics and probability to analyze web traffic data and make recommendations for improvements. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful web analyst. You will learn how to collect and clean data, and how to use statistical methods to analyze it. You will also learn about the different types of web analytics tools, and how to use them to track and analyze web traffic.

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Market Researcher

Market researchers use their skills in statistics and probability to conduct surveys and collect data about consumer behavior. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful market researcher. You will learn how to design and conduct surveys, and how to analyze the data you collect. You will also learn about the different types of market research tools, and how to use them to gather insights about consumer behavior.

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Product Manager

Product managers use their skills in statistics and probability to analyze data and make decisions about product development. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful product manager. You will learn how to collect and clean data, and how to use statistical methods to analyze it. You will also learn about the different types of product management tools, and how to use them to make decisions about product development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Survey Researcher

Survey researchers use their skills in statistics and probability to conduct surveys and collect data about consumer behavior. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful survey researcher. You will learn how to design and conduct surveys, and how to analyze the data you collect. You will also learn about the different types of survey research tools, and how to use them to gather insights about consumer behavior.

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User Experience Researcher

User experience researchers use their skills in statistics and probability to evaluate user experience and make recommendations for improvements. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful user experience researcher. You will learn how to collect and clean data, and how to use statistical methods to analyze it. You will also learn about the different types of user experience research tools, and how to use them to evaluate user experience.

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Consultant

Consultants help organizations improve their performance. They use their analytical skills to identify problems and develop solutions. This course can help you develop the critical thinking skills you need to be a successful consultant. You will learn how to collect and analyze data, and how to communicate your findings effectively. You will also learn about the different types of consulting roles, and how to choose the one that is right for you.

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Technical Writer

Technical writers use their skills in communication and critical thinking to write technical documents. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful technical writer. You will learn how to communicate effectively, and how to think critically about the world around you. You will also learn about the different types of technical writing, and how to use them to create clear and concise documents.

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Teacher

Teachers use their skills in communication and critical thinking to teach students about a variety of subjects. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful teacher. You will learn how to communicate effectively, and how to think critically about the world around you. You will also learn about the different types of teaching methods, and how to use them to engage students in learning.

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