Inquiry: Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines

Volume 22, Issue 1, Fall 2002

Creative and Critical Thought

Evaluating Creative Ideas
Processes, Standards, and Context

Although many new ideas are generated, only a few are ever implemented. Thus, it seems reasonable to conclude that idea evaluation represents an important aspect of the creative process. In the present article, we examine the cognitive operations involved in idea evaluation. We argue that idea evaluation is a complex activity involving appraisal of ideas, forecasting of their implications, and subsequent revision and refinement. We note that the outcomes of these activities depend on both the standards applied in idea evaluation and the context surrounding evaluation of a new idea. Implications for the development of idea evaluation skills are discussed.