Topic 2: Evidence Flashcards
What is evidence in critical thinking?
The examples and reasoning used to support a claim, such as statistics, past events, research studies, and previously accepted claims.
What question does evidence respond to?
“Why is the claim true?”
List 5 cue words that help identify evidence in a text.
Because, As a result, For example, Studies show, Given that.
What determines if a claim is believable or doubtful?
The quality of evidence—high-quality evidence makes a claim probable, while low-quality evidence makes it dubious.
What does the acronym SCRAAP stand for?
Sufficiency, Clarity of Expression, Representative, Authority, Accuracy, Precision.
What does ‘Sufficiency’ in SCRAAP mean?
Whether enough evidence is provided to support the author’s claim. Depends on how important the claim is.
What is a fallacy of hasty generalization?
When an author makes a claim with insufficient or unrepresentative evidence.
What does ‘Clarity of Expression’ assess in evidence?
How clearly the evidence is presented and whether its significance is easy to identify.
What does ‘Representative’ mean in SCRAAP?
Evidence should represent the entire population or issue being discussed, not just a narrow or biased sample.
What does ‘Authority’ assess in evaluating evidence?
The credibility of the source—whether it comes from a person with expertise, credentials, or experience in the subject.
What is a fallacy of false appeal to authority?
Using a non-expert’s opinion as evidence to support a claim.
What is the fallacy of argumentum ad populum?
Assuming something is true just because many people believe it.
What does ‘Accuracy’ evaluate in SCRAAP?
Whether the information is factual, free of errors, and verifiable based on an independent source.
What does ‘Precision’ in evidence mean?
The use of specific data, numbers, percentages, and exact quotes to improve clarity and support.
What types of phrases weaken precision in writing?
Vague phrases like “many,” “often,” “usually,” “approximately,” or paraphrased quotes without citations.
Why is precision important in evaluating evidence?
Because it gives the impression of accuracy and strengthens the author’s credibility.
On an exam, how should you use SCRAAP when evaluating a claim?
Identify the claim and assess it across all six SCRAAP components, explaining how each impacts the overall credibility of the evidence.
