Analytical thinking scale

The concept of analytical thinking is considered ambiguous due to its multiple and widely varying definitions and the absence of a clear operational definition. Many researchers use the concept in a very broad sense, far removed from the specific and apparent meaning of analytical thinking. They use it to refer to all traditional and familiar thinking patterns. Some describe analytical thinking as the ability that enables an individual to understand the parts of a situation of interest and break it down into its smaller components, allowing for further operations on these parts such as classification, arrangement, and organization. Other researchers describe it as a cognitive ability, while some describe it as a multi-stage, step-by-step process, and still others describe it as a skill that can be acquired through learning and training.