evidence

Reading Reflection #9: Evidence Part 2 (11/10)

Melissa PrescottLeave a comment

To complete this reading reflection assignment, (1) Go to your personal blog, (2) Click on New -> Post, (3) Title the post Reading Reflection #9: Evidence Part 2, (4) Select the Category boxes for Reading Reflection Assignments and LIB 280, and (5) Add a few descriptive tags. Remember to respond to all seven prompts below.

Based on your reading of ARQ chapter 8, “How Good is the Evidence: Personal Observation and Research Studies?,” respond to the following prompts:

  1. Briefly describe the scientific method (you may have to Google it). What are the main characteristics of the scientific method, as mentioned in this chapter, that contribute to the reliability and dependability of research data and results?
  1. What are some ways that surveys or questionnaires can be unreliable? What are some things to look for to verify the reliability of survey information?
  1. What are some pros and cons of research studies? Explain how some research findings can be problematic.
  1. What are three questions you can use to evaluate research studies? Where (in an article) should you look to find answers to these questions?

Based on your reading of ARQ chapter 9, “Are There Rival Causes?,” respond to the following prompts:

  1. What are rival causes and when how should you look for them (what questions should you use to find them)?
  1. Explain the difference between causation and association/correlation. Which is more difficult to demonstrate and why?
  1. Identify the conclusion and reason (cause) for the conclusion in the following passage. Name two potential rival causes (other possible causes) for the conclusion other than the one given: “Increased amounts of germs and bacteria on college campuses cause higher rates of illness in college students. College students are less likely to sanitize living areas and common areas on campus, which in turn creates excessive germs on surfaces and in the air leading to more sickness in students.”
    Conclusion:
    Reason/cause:
    Rival (other possible) causes:
    Evaluation (How strong is the original argument? What’s missing?):

 

Reading Reflection #8: Evidence Part 1 (11/5)

Melissa PrescottLeave a comment

To complete this reading reflection assignment, (1) Go to your personal blog, (2) Click on New -> Post, (3) Title the post Reading Reflection #8: Evidence Part 1, (4) Select the Category boxes for Reading Reflection Assignments and LIB 280, and (5) Add a few descriptive tags. Remember to respond to all three prompts below.

Based on your reading of ARQ chapter 7, “The Worth of Personal Experience, Case Examples, Testimonials, and Statements of Authority as Evidence,” respond to the following prompts:

  1. In class we have been working on identifying arguments in written material. You’ll remember that an argument must have both a conclusion and reasons. The next step in evaluating information critically is looking for the evidence that supports the reasons. Summarize, in your own words, the textbook’s definition of evidence (don’t forget to provide an in-text citation).
  1. Provide a brief definition of each of the four different types of evidence discussed in this chapter (personal experience, case examples, testimonials, and appeals to authority). What is a potential problem with the validity and/or reliability of each of the four types of evidence?
  1. Go to www.theconversation.com, www.theatlantic.com, or quillette.com and look for an article that uses one of the four types of evidence discussed in this chapter. Briefly summarize the article and describe the evidence the author provides. How reliable do you think the evidence is, given the topic of the article, and why? Include an MLA citation for the article (hint, the publication/journal title is The Conversation, The Atlantic, or Quillette).