What is Critical Thinking?

I believe that in order to understand a situation, the observer must have an idea of who they are within the context of what is being examined. We all bring our own biases and frames into all situations.
I think that this is an imperfect process where the process itself is a powerful teacher both humbling us while illuminating us.
Now to get our hands dirty. The first step must be to gather as much information and evidence as possible within the limitations set forth. Next decisions have to made as to what information will be beneficial (this is where biases and intuition meld together, maybe helping us of maybe not) in understanding the issue more deeply and poignantly. This is an interesting part of the process as I believe not everyone is a great critical thinker, like any talent or skill some people are more talented then others. I also think that no matter what level anybody is at, they can always increase their skill levels in the different aspects of critical thinking. Finally the conclusions discovered and/or synthesized must be shared with peers, so the idea can be tested in the field of other minds.