Download Evidence - WordPress.com

Evidence
Thinking concept #5
What should we believe?
• How do you know what to believe if there is no proof or if there is
conflicting evidence?
• How can you tell fact from opinion?
Evidence
• Definition: Looks at and tries to assess the facts that underlie a
particular policy, law, or action.
• ability to gather, analyze, and evaluate evidence is a critical skill for
governments and citizens who want to draw sound conclusions and
make good decisions
Facts, opinions, and arguments
• Evidence is a fact that supports a conclusion
• Offers proof of accuracy and helps us understand what is happening
• Active citizens you should be able to tell the difference between
facts, opinions, and arguments
• Just as important is the ability to gather and select evidence in
support of what you think and believe (so you are drawing sound
conclusions)
What is really happening in this photo?
What about this one?
• The truth may be hard to determine without all the facts
EVIDENCE
OPINION
FACT
Governments
raise taxes to pay
for spending
Something that can be
shown to exist or have
happened.
ARGUMENT
Facts showing how
lower taxes
stimulate economic
growth
Governments
should lower taxes
and spend less
Lower taxes are
good for the
economy
Governments
should raise taxes
and spend more
More spending is
good for the
economy
Facts showing how
more spending
stimulates
economic growth
An idea that
someone believes
to be true. Not
necessarily
supported by
evidence.
An attempt to
persuade by giving
reasons for a
particular conclusion
or point of view.
The facts that
support the
conclusions of an
argument.
Opposite
arguments can
both be
supported by
facts
The power of evidence
• Evidence can be used to seek the truth – to understand what really
happened and why
• Can also be used to support an argument for a particular policy or
action
• Sometimes, in an effort to influence or persuade others, evidence is
presented in BIASED or inaccurate ways (having preference for one
perspective or opinion over another)
• PROPOGANDA – claims or arguments that distort or misrepresent the
truth or include false information
Argument
Persuasion
Propaganda
Goal
- Discover the truth
- Support a policy,
action, or cause
- Promote an opinion or a Political advertising for a
perspective that may or
position that may distort
may not be based in truth the truth or include false
information
Use of evidence
- Uses strong factual
evidence
- Provides only
evidence-based
conclusions
- Always considers and
explains conflicting
evidence
- Uses limited and
selective evidence
- Blends facts and
emotions to make a
conclusion
- Provides limited
consideration of
others’ opinions
- Uses altered or
distorted evidence
- Draws biased and
emotional conclusions
- Ignores conflicting
facts and evidence
Gathering and evaluating evidence
• Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate evidence is an essential skill
when creating your own arguments and considering the positions of
others
Use the word SOURCE to help remember useful
questions you can ask about a piece of evidence
• SOURCE – where did it come from?
• OBJECTIVE – For what purpose was it created?
• USEFULNESS – Is it relevant to the issue?
• RELIABILITY – Is it true, accurate, unbiased, and reliable?
• CONTEXT – Is it supported by other evidence?
• EVIDENCE – What does it prove?
Different types of evidence – always consider as
many as you can to have an unbiased and relevant
view
• Scientific evidence
• Statistical data
• Informed expert opinions
• Experiences of others
• Personal observations
• Documents and artifacts
• Videos and photos