Assessing Claims and Evidence
Which factor is found in a scientific claim? - answersimilar results in multiple tests of the
claim
According to a recent encyclopedia entry about dog breeds, Labrador retrievers come in
two specific breeds: English and American. The article cites six studies from several
scientific journals about dog breeding showing that males of both breeds usually
average 29-41 kg (65-90 lb) in weight, and females usually average 25-32 kg (55-70 lb)
in weight. Anna's female Labrador retriever weighs 38 kg (83 lb).
What does Anna's dog's weight indicate about the reliability of this source? -
answerThis is still a reliable source because it clearly cites scientific research.
Read the passage below about acupuncture.
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that uses wire-thin needles inserted by a trained
practitioner into specific points in the body. This ancient form of pain relief and
stimulation is said to benefit patients by blocking channels which practitioners claim
allow pain to travel within the body. This practice became more widely recognized and
used after a New York Times reporter wrote in 1971 of a positive experience with it after
surgery.
Those who doubt the effectiveness of this treatment for pain attribute the pain relief to a
placebo effect: if a patient believes something will reduce their pain, they will experience
some relief. The National Institutes of Health says that acupuncture relieves pain and
reduces nausea and vomiting, although it is unclear how it works. The few adverse
effects reported are due to improperly sterilized needles or improper delivery, making -
answerThe National Institutes of Health found it effective in reducing pain and other
symptoms, but it is not clear how it works.
One way that scientists ensure that data is reliable is through - answerreplicating
experiments.
Which source is the most reliable? - answeran article evaluated by other scientists
A lightweight material is being tested for effectiveness in blocking ultraviolet (UV) rays
from the sun that cause skin to burn and possibly develop skin cancer. Which method
would be most helpful for testing this material? - answerTest the material in controlled
natural settings by using natural UV light, and measure the UV light that passes
through.
Which factor is found in a scientific claim? - answersimilar results in multiple tests of the
claim
According to a recent encyclopedia entry about dog breeds, Labrador retrievers come in
two specific breeds: English and American. The article cites six studies from several
scientific journals about dog breeding showing that males of both breeds usually
average 29-41 kg (65-90 lb) in weight, and females usually average 25-32 kg (55-70 lb)
in weight. Anna's female Labrador retriever weighs 38 kg (83 lb).
What does Anna's dog's weight indicate about the reliability of this source? -
answerThis is still a reliable source because it clearly cites scientific research.
Read the passage below about acupuncture.
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that uses wire-thin needles inserted by a trained
practitioner into specific points in the body. This ancient form of pain relief and
stimulation is said to benefit patients by blocking channels which practitioners claim
allow pain to travel within the body. This practice became more widely recognized and
used after a New York Times reporter wrote in 1971 of a positive experience with it after
surgery.
Those who doubt the effectiveness of this treatment for pain attribute the pain relief to a
placebo effect: if a patient believes something will reduce their pain, they will experience
some relief. The National Institutes of Health says that acupuncture relieves pain and
reduces nausea and vomiting, although it is unclear how it works. The few adverse
effects reported are due to improperly sterilized needles or improper delivery, making -
answerThe National Institutes of Health found it effective in reducing pain and other
symptoms, but it is not clear how it works.
One way that scientists ensure that data is reliable is through - answerreplicating
experiments.
Which source is the most reliable? - answeran article evaluated by other scientists
A lightweight material is being tested for effectiveness in blocking ultraviolet (UV) rays
from the sun that cause skin to burn and possibly develop skin cancer. Which method
would be most helpful for testing this material? - answerTest the material in controlled
natural settings by using natural UV light, and measure the UV light that passes
through.
