Evidence

Definition

Evidence: Evidence refers to {data, facts, information, testimonies, or similar} that support or refute a particular claim.

Claim: A Conclusions or conclusion is the end result of thinking. There are two types of claims:

  1. Factual Claims: These claims assert that something is true or false.

  2. Prescriptive Claims: These claims recommend a specific course of action.

Examples of Evidence

  1. DNA found a crime scene indicates that the owner of the DNA might be implicated in the crime.

  2. If you run an experiment comparing epoxy with super glue and the epoxy comes out stronger, then this is evidence for the conclusion that the epoxy is stronger than super glue for the conditions tested.

  3. Angry clouds overhead is evidence that it might rain soon.

Good Evidence versus Bad Evidence

Good Evidence

Good Evidence: Good evidence is evidence that is most likely to be true or reliable based on its source, methodology, and consistency with other data.

Here are some things to look for to indicate good evidence.

  1. Reliable: Comes from credible and trustworthy sources.

  2. Relevant: Directly relates to the claim or argument being made.

  3. Consistent: Aligns with other evidence without contradictions.

  4. Comprehensive: Covers the topic thoroughly, considering multiple perspectives.

  5. Based on sound methodology: Collected, analyzed, and presented using rigorous and accepted methods.

Bad Evidence

Bad Evidence: Bad evidence is evidence that is not likely to be true or reliable based on its source, methodology, and consistency with other data.

Here are some things to look for to indicate bad evidence.

  1. Unreliable: Comes from questionable, uneducated, or biased sources.

  2. Irrelevant: Doesn’t directly pertain to the claim or argument at hand.

  3. Inconsistent: Contradicts other evidence or itself.

  4. Incomplete: Offers a narrow or one-sided view of the topic.

  5. Flawed methodology: Collected, analyzed, or presented using methods that are not rigorous or generally accepted by appropriate competent people.