evidence

Communications

(noun)

The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.

Related Terms

  • I
  • thorough
  • Accuracy
Writing

(noun)

Facts or observations presented in support of an assertion.

Related Terms

  • opposition
  • argument
  • thesis
  • Logos

Examples of evidence in the following topics:

  • Statistical Literacy

    • Research in March, 2012 reported here found evidence for the existence of the Higgs Boson particle.
    • However, the evidence for the existence of the particle was not statistically significant.
    • Did the researchers conclude that their investigation had been a failure or did they conclude they have evidence of the particle, just not strong enough evidence to draw a confident conclusion?
    • One of the investigators stated, "We see some tantalizing evidence but not significant enough to make a stronger statement. " Therefore, they were encouraged by the result.
    • In a subsequent study, the evidence was significant.
  • Ethical Usage: Considering Other Viewpoints

    • Persuasive speakers have an ethical duty to consider opposing viewpoints and evidence before being sure that theirs are correct.
    • You may be making the wrong conclusion based on the evidence or your evidence may be flawed, both of which can be shown by examining other views.
    • Perhaps you and your opponent are using the same evidence but come to different conclusions .
    • Furthermore, evidence must generally be accepted only after intense scrutiny.
    • This is due to the fact that evidence comes from a process which may be flawed.
  • Supporting Your Thesis

    • Consequently, the majority of your paper will be dedicated to presenting and analyzing evidence that supports your claims, making it clear to the reader how the evidence relates to the claims.
    • You should also know which pieces of evidence you want to use to back up each claim.
    • You cannot just present a piece of evidence and assume that your work is done.
    • When analyzing your evidence, be as thorough and clear as possible.
    • You may have great evidence, but if your reasoning is sloppy or flawed, you can render that evidence meaningless to the reader.
  • Types of Supporting Materials

    • Scientific evidence is evidence which serves to either support or counter a scientific theory or hypothesis.
    • Such evidence is expected to be empirical and in accordance with scientific method.
    • Anecdotal evidence is evidence from anecdotes (stories).
    • Anecdotal evidence is considered dubious support for a claim; it is accepted only in lieu of more solid evidence.
    • Statistics are a type of scientific evidence that can bolster arguments.
  • Deploying Evidence

    • Just how well does your evidence actually back up your argument?
    • That disconnect might occur when your evidence is not actually relevant to your argument.
    • Make sure your evidence is directly related to the points you are trying to make.
    • Likewise, your audience may have evidence of their own to contradict your line of reasoning; anticipate these contradictions and argue your point with evidence to counter their disagreements.
    • Your evidence may only skim the surface.
  • Defining Evidence

    • To understand it in the opposite, to lack evidence is to lack the validity of a belief or idea.
    • Accuracy: The evidence must be truthfully constructed and defined.
    • The audience must be able to understand the evidence before it is used in an appeal.
    • Relevant Context: The evidence must be defined within the context of the appeal.
    • Secondly, the evidence must be defined only as comprehensively as necessary.
  • Anecdotal evidence

    • Data collected in this haphazard fashion are called anecdotal evidence.
    • Such evidence may be true and verifiable, but it may only represent extraordinary cases.
    • Anecdotal evidence typically is composed of unusual cases that we recall based on their striking characteristics.
    • In February 2010, some media pundits cited one large snow storm as valid evidence against global warming.
  • Using Supporting Materials

    • Not all supporting evidence, however, is created equally.
    • For example, scientific evidence is absolutely necessary in settings such as an exam.
    • Scientific evidence is used to prove that a set of facts or conditions is present in the world.
    • Using non-scientific evidence comes with some dangers, however.
    • Exam questions in most subjects test the taker's grasp of empirical evidence (scientific evidence).
  • Bayes' Rule

    • If the evidence does not match up with a hypothesis, one should reject the hypothesis.
    • We're presented with evidence in the form of a picture of a blond-haired baby girl.
    • We find this evidence supports $H_2$ and opposes $H_1$ and $H_3$.
    • We're presented with evidence in the form of a picture of a baby dog.
    • After observing some evidence, the resulting posterior probability can then be treated as a prior probability, and a new posterior probability computed from new evidence.
  • Evidence-Based Decision Making

    • The practice of evidence-based decision making involves using current information to make empirically supported decisions.
    • Because the evidence approach examines outcomes, it supports the careful consideration of the relationship between cause and effect.
    • Critics of EBMgt argue that evidence may not always be complete or appropriately measured; they also argue that analysis is not always neutral or without bias.
    • Critics also argue that evidence-based approaches do not take ethics into consideration.
    • Describe the concept and strategic implications of evidence-based decision making in management (EBMgt)
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