Which cognitive skill involves making judgments and forming opinions based on evidence?

The cognitive skill that involves making judgments and forming opinions based on evidence is evaluation. This process requires individuals to assess information, determine its validity, and arrive at conclusions based on that evidence. When a person engages in evaluation, they not only analyze the data at hand but also start to weigh its significance, relevance, and the implications of different pieces of evidence.

This skill is crucial in many disciplines, particularly in EMS education, where making informed decisions based on patient assessments, medical protocols, and clinical guidelines is essential. Evaluation allows for critical thinking, enabling a responder to make choices that can significantly impact patient outcomes.

In contrast, comprehension refers to understanding the material presented. Analysis involves breaking down information into parts to understand its structure and relationships. Application is about using the learned knowledge in practical situations. While these skills are important in cognitive development, they do not specifically focus on making judgments based on the evidence like evaluation does.