Learning Objectives

• Researchers will recognize the difference between evidence that is merely consistent with a claim and evidence that supports it
• Researchers will learn to avoid confusing evidence with feelings of certainty or anecdotes
• Researchers will learn what types of evidence experts, statistics, and scientific studies can provide

What Information Will Prove Your Claims?

• Only including evidence that supports your claims
• Introduces other modules
• Beginning level classes
• 1m 9s

Confusing "Evidence Of" with "Consistent With"

• Explains the distinction between information consistent with a claim and evidence of a claim
• Beginning level classes
• 1m 49s

Confusing Feelings of Certainty with Evidence

• Do not be mislead by "feelings of certainty"
• Beginning level classes
• 2m 30s

Confusing Anecdotes with Evidence

• Do not be mislead by anecdotes; single events or one person's experience
• Beginning level classes
• 2m 7s

Finding Evidence

• Emphasizes main points of previous modules
• 0m 37s

Expert Testimony as Evidence

• Why and how expert testimony is can be used as evidence
• defines "prove your claims"
• Beginning to intermediate level classes
• 1m 57s

Statistics as Evidence

• How and when to use statistics as evidence
• "Consistent with" versus "evidence of"
• Beginning to intermediate level
• 2m 26s

Scientific Studies as Evidence

• How and when to use scientific studies as evidence
• beginning to intermediate level
• 2m 43s

Matching Data to Claims

• The most credible evidence comes from the three above categories
• All still need to be properly evaluated
• Very short overview of how to and how not to use evidence, may be helpful to all levels
• 0m 47s

Checklist

• Ask yourself: "If this information were correct, would it help me prove my claim?"
• Focus only on the information for which you answered the question yes (this will be information that is not only "consistent with" your claim but "evidence of" it)
• Rule out "evidence" that is only based on feelings of certainty or ancedotes
• Look for evidence that will support your claim in the testimony of experts, statistics, and scientific studies.

Terms

• Anecdote
• Evidence

Tools

• Source Evaluation Aid