Algorithm for Evaluating Evidence in Support of an ArgumentName the possible conclusions from the evidence on my issue:My conclusion (my argument) is:The strongest counterargument is:My evidence is stronger because . . . Choose from the following:1. More studies support my side.2. Data from more subjects support my side.3. The data from studies on my side are more tightly clustered around a mean value.4. The data that support my side come from studies that had the exact same research question asmy issue, so their evidence is more direct.5. The data that support my side come from studies that had the exact same independent variable(s) as my issue, so their evidence is more direct.6. The data that support my side come from studies that had the exact same dependent variable(s) as my issue, so their evidence is more direct.7. The data that support my side come from studies that had the exact same population as my issue, so their evidence is more direct.8. The data that support my side come from studies that are all controlled laboratory studes (vs. epidemiological or observational studies).9. The data that support my side come from studies that have objectively measured DVs (vs. self-report or other subjective measures).10. The data that support my side come from studies that have less-limiting limitations than the studies that support any other side.11. The data that support my side come from studies that meet more of the above criteria than thestudies that support any other side.12. My side makes more mechanistic sense.13. The data that support my side establish cause and effect (vs. just establishing correlations).14. Etc.1 Evaluate the Research Sources• How reputable is the publication medium? Was it peer-reviewed?2 Evaluate the Research Methods of Studies Supporting and Opposing• Do the study's subjects have the appropriate characteristics for answering the research question(s)? • Is the study design optimal for answering its own research question(s)?• How close to my RQ is the RQ of the studies?• Have the study's independent and control variables been administered effectively? Do extraneous variables mask the true effects of the experimental manipulations?• Are the study's dependent variables valid and precisely measured?• Have the appropriate statistical techniques been applied for answering the research question(s)?3 Evaluate the Findings of Studies Supporting and Opposing• How much evidence and/or reasoning supports my argument? • What are the strengths and weaknesses of my evidence and/or reasoning?• Do the evidence and reasoning come from sound scientific research, as evaluated above? • Is the support directly relevant, or logically related, to my claim? • What are the important counterarguments, or opposing claims and alternative conclusions? • How and why is the evidence stronger for my
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