Analytic balance image (wikimedia, no copyright)

Having analytical skills is the ability to research and analyse, critique and synthesise information in order to resolve a question or problem. It is closely linked to Critical Thinking and Problem Solving.

To be analytical you need to examine an argument or data, and evaluate its validity and credibility. You will develop your analytical skills mostly through your academic degree, and they will be extremely useful, in any career you chose to go into.

Fran Bingley - Transcript.doc

Main attributes include

Research skills
Critical thinking
Problem solving
Questioning
Having an open mind
Being able to spot inconsistencies

Further resources

Skills4Study Campus, a useful tool to help you in develop your study and research skills.
University of Birmingham Study Skills page
Study4Skills – Palgrave
Safari: Information Literacy
Learning to Learn – Analytical Skills, a useful webpage for Social Science students to learn about study skills

Outstanding skills

Outstanding academic achievements
Successfully researched project or dissertation
Researching and selecting occupations and organisations you’d like to apply to
Evaluating the credibility and worth of sources of information

Skills developed at UoB

Assignments, exercises and extended essays
Conducting Research for a project or dissertation
Learning how to use various sources of information (library, internet, journals etc...)
Extensive Reading
Analysing financial data and statistics
Formulating hypothesis before conducting research
Participating in debates
Writing an editorial, feature or news article for Redbrick

How strong are your analytical skills?