Intellectual skills

(analytical/critical thinking, problem-solving, uncertainty and intellectual risk; creativity and originality in research)

How readily do you accept what you read/hear as true? How easy do you find it to consider something from someone else’s point of view? How often do you identify your assumptions and those underlying the arguments you read? How good are you at solving intellectual problems? How easily do you solve the problems you face in your life? How often do you give up on something because you cannot see a way forward? How easy is it for you to come up with a lot of different ideas and concepts? How often do you think of novel possibilities? When working in a group, how often are your ideas the ones used? How easy do you find it to develop an independent and resourceful direction for your work?

The ability to consider issues from a wide range of perspectives, to draw upon appropriate principles developing your own theoretical concepts, and to consider personal assumptions and others’ findings to arrive at a fitting conclusion. To be able to recognise, validate or solve intellectual problems as well as to address problematic issues arising in the real world, to develop strategies for overcoming obstacles and implement them effectively.

The ability to think laterally and inventively, in an inquiring and imaginative way by demonstrating a knowledge of recent advances within one’s field and in related areas. To be able to take intellectual risks and develop original approaches in perceiving and describing situations, as well as in defining and solving problems; to be able to formulate innovative and independent research applications to existing methodologies and techniques.