Fisher Technique: Critical Reading

Below is a technique based upon a systematic set of procedures to help evaluate a journal article argument. The approach involves reading through the text and annotating interim or main conclusions derived from joint or independent reasons.

Approach

1. Read through the text first to get a basic understanding of the premise and the structure
2. Read through again circling inference indicators such as thus or therefore etc.
3. Underline any conclusions and place reasons inside < > brackets
4. Try to summarise the argument and if cannot then list the key points
5. Highlight interim or main conclusions with C. Typical indicators are thus, therefore, hence, consequently etc.
6. Ask why are you being asked to accept the main conclusion. Typical indicators are because, since, it follows etc.
7. Rank the primary and secondary reasons with R
8. Draw a simple argument diagram

Argument Structure

An argument structure example, below extract from [1]:

R1 + R2 = (therefore) C [For joint reasons]

R1 or R2 = (therefore) C [For independent reasons]

Conclusions

Interim and main conclusions example, below extract from [1]:

R1 + R2 = (therefore) C1 (interim conclusion)

C1 + R3 = (therefore) C2 (main conclusion)

References

1. Hart, C. (2018). Doing a literature review: Releasing the research imagination (2nd edition.). SAGE Publications.

See Also

• Socratic Questions: Critical Evaluation