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Claim, Evidence, Reasoning Guide

Arthur's death was initially reported as a slip and fall on the stairs. However, the autopsy found a head wound and evidence that Arthur was intoxicated. This raises doubts about the initial claim that it was an accident. Further investigation is needed to determine if Arthur was intentionally tripped or if other factors were involved.

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Rey Jr. Garin
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100% found this document useful (1 vote)
1K views5 pages

Claim, Evidence, Reasoning Guide

Arthur's death was initially reported as a slip and fall on the stairs. However, the autopsy found a head wound and evidence that Arthur was intoxicated. This raises doubts about the initial claim that it was an accident. Further investigation is needed to determine if Arthur was intentionally tripped or if other factors were involved.

Uploaded by

Rey Jr. Garin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • How to Write a Scientific Explanation
  • Examples of Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning
  • Case Study: Slip or Trip?
  • Worksheet for Scientific Explanation

How to Write a Scientific Explanation Name:_______

Components
 Make a claim about the problem.
 Provide evidence for the claim.
 Provide reasoning that links the evidence to the claim.

Definitions
 Claim: An assertion or conclusion that answers the original question
 Evidence: Scientific data that supports the student’s claim that must be appropriate and
sufficient. Can come from an investigation or other source such as observations, reading
material, archived data, or other source.
 Reasoning: Justification that links the claim and evidence. Shows why the data counts as
evidence to support the claim, using appropriate scientific principles.

Qualities of Communication
Write the explanation so others can
understand it.
 Use precise and accurate
scientific language.
 Write clearly so that anyone
interested in the explanation can
understand it.
 Explain your logic to help share
your knowledge.

Explanation Tool Layout


The Question:
Initial question based on an observed phenomenon or situation.
Our Claim:
Your claim is a statement that expresses the answer or conclusion to the question.
Our Evidence: Our Justification (Reasoning) of the
Evidence:
Your evidence should always include
collected data (Numbers!) and/or Your justification explains why the evidence
observations supports the claim. Provide a logical
connection between the evidence and
claim.
Examples of Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (in order of increasing complexity)
Example 1
The Question:
What do plants need to grow?
Our Claim:
The plant that received more light grew taller.

Our Evidence: Our Justification of the Evidence:


The plant with 24 hours of light grew 20 Plants require light to grow and develop. This is
cm. The plant with 12 hours of light only why the plant that received 24 hours of light
grew 8 cm. grew taller.

Teacher Comments: This example provides a simple claim that focuses on one variable that plants need to
grow— light. The example provides evidence to support the claim from an experiment that focused solely on
comparing plants that received 24 hours of light with those that received 12 hours. The actual data is not
complex; rather, it is limited to support the sense-making process and in writing the scientific explanations.
The reasoning is also fairly simple, but it is a good start at thinking about why data counts as evidence to
support the claim.

Example 2
The Question:
What do plants need to grow?
Our Claim:
The plant that received more light grew more.

Our Evidence: Our Justification of the Evidence:


On average, for the six plants that Plants require light to grow and develop. This is
received 24 hours of light, they grew 20 why the plant that received 24 hours of light
cm, had six yellow flowers, had fifteen grew more.
leaves, and they were all bright green. On
average, for the six plants that received 12
hours of light, they grew 8 cm, had two
yellow flowers, and had four leaves. Also,
two of the plants had zero flowers. These
plants were still bright green, but they
were smaller and with fewer flowers and
leaves

Teacher Comments: The claim is still limited to focus on light, but the scientific explanation example now
includes multiple pieces of evidence. Furthermore, the evidence includes both quantitative measurements
(e.g., average height, number of flowers, and number of leaves) and qualitative observations (e.g., color of
flowers and leaves). Obviously, the data collected in this case was more complicated and required greater
analysis before the group could construct their initial claim.

Example 3
The Question:
What do plants need to grow?
Our Claim:
Plants need water, carbon dioxide, and light to grow.

Our Evidence: Our Justification of the Evidence:


On average, for the six plants that Photosynthesis is the process during which
received constant light, carbon dioxide, green plants produce sugar from water, carbon
and water, they grew 20 cm, had six dioxide, and light energy. Producing sugar is
yellow flowers, had fifteen leaves, and essential for plant growth and development.
they were all bright green. On average, for That is why the plants that received a constant
the six plants that received 12 hours of source of water, carbon dioxide, and light grew
light, limited carbon dioxide and water, the most.
they grew 8 cm, had two yellow flowers,
and had four leaves. Also, two of the
plants had zero flowers. These plants
were still bright green, but they were
smaller and with fewer flowers and leaves.

Teacher Comments: This example becomes more complex in that the group has decided to investigate multiple
variables that impact plant growth. This question requires a greater understanding of the science concepts related to
plant growth and that water, carbon dioxide, and light are necessary for photosynthesis to occur. Not only does the
reasoning become more complicated, but the claim that the group is justifying has also become more complex.

Like Example 2, this group uses specific quantitative and qualitative evidence in order to support the claim.

“Slip or Trip?”
At five-feet-six and a hundred and ten pounds, Queenie Vanderbilt was a sight to behold and to cherish. One
night, after an argument with her husband, she tore out of the house and went to the country club where there
was a party going on.

She left the club shortly before one o’clock a.m. and invited a few friends to follow her home and have one
more drink. They got to the Vanderbilt house about ten minutes after Queenie, who met them at the door and
said, “Something terrible happened. Arthur slipped and fell on the stairs. He was coming down for another drink
—he still had the glass in his hand—and I think he’s dead. Oh, my goodness—what shall I do?

The autopsy conducted later


concluded that Arthur had
died from a wound on the
head and confirmed that he’d
been drunk.
Your Name:

Group Members’ Names:

The Question:
Did Arthur slip and fall on the stairs or was he tripped intentionally?
Our Claim:

Our Evidence: Our Justification (Reasoning) of the


Evidence:

Common questions

Powered by AI

Iterative processes are essential in developing comprehensive scientific explanations as they allow researchers to refine hypotheses, adjust methodologies, and reassess conclusions based on new data and insights. In plant growth experiments, iterative testing of different variables like light levels and nutrient availability informs understanding and leads to deeper insights into necessary conditions for optimal growth. This adaptability ensures scientific explanations remain accurate and reflective of the current understanding, improving the robustness of conclusions drawn .

The complexity of scientific claims and evidence influences one's understanding and communication of scientific principles by requiring a deeper analysis and integration of multiple factors affecting plant growth. For example, while a simple claim might only consider the amount of light, more complex claims need to incorporate variables like water and carbon dioxide, critical to photosynthesis. This complexity requires precise scientific language and reasoning to effectively communicate how different environmental factors contribute synergistically to plant growth, thereby enhancing both the understanding and explanation of underlying scientific principles .

The case study on plant growth underscores the importance of both quantitative and qualitative data as they provide a comprehensive picture of the phenomena being studied. Quantitative data, such as average height and number of flowers, offers measurable, objective results that can be statistically analyzed. Qualitative observations, such as the color of flowers and leaves, provide context and descriptive details that help interpret the quantitative findings. Together, these data types generate a holistic understanding of how variables like light, water, and carbon dioxide affect plant growth, which is crucial for deriving accurate scientific conclusions .

Different scientific variables explored in plant growth studies can be effectively integrated into educational models by using them to demonstrate the interplay of environmental factors in biology. This approach can be realized through experiments and simulations that allow students to manipulate variables like light, water, and carbon dioxide, observing their effects on plant growth. Interactive models can enhance comprehension of complex concepts like photosynthesis and ecosystem dynamics, promoting active learning and improved retention of scientific principles through hands-on engagement and critical thinking exercises .

Providing precise and accurate scientific language enhances the clarity and accessibility of explanations by ensuring that ideas are communicated clearly and understood correctly by a broad audience. It allows the communicator to convey complex concepts succinctly and avoid misunderstandings that may arise from ambiguity or non-specific language. This precision is crucial for effective teaching, learning, and dissemination of scientific knowledge, enabling better engagement with diverse audiences, from experts to laypeople .

Justification plays a critical role in linking evidence to claims by explaining why the evidence supports the claim and showing its relevance through scientific principles. This logical connection is crucial for a strong argument because it validates the claim in the context of the evidence provided, ensuring the explanation is not only based on data but also grounded in understood scientific concepts. Without justification, the evidence and claim remain disconnected, reducing the persuasiveness and rigor of the argument .

The complexity of evidence significantly affects the construction of claims in scientific research by necessitating a more nuanced consideration of various factors and their interactions. In the plant growth study, the complexity is evident as researchers examine not just light exposure but also water and carbon dioxide availability, correlating these variables with growth metrics like height and flower number. This multifactorial approach requires more sophisticated claims that not only state outcomes but also articulate the causal relationships underlying observed patterns, thus leading to more robust and comprehensive scientific assertions .

The primary components of crafting a scientific explanation include making a claim, providing evidence, and offering reasoning. The claim is an assertion or conclusion that answers the original question. Evidence consists of scientific data that support the claim, drawn from experiments or other credible sources. Reasoning connects the claim and evidence, demonstrating why the data is relevant and supports the claim by applying scientific principles. The interrelation builds an effective argument by ensuring that each component logically supports the next, forming a coherent and scientifically robust explanation .

Analysis of both quantitative and qualitative evidence provides a complete understanding of narratives by balancing objective metrics with subjective context, offering depth and detail in storytelling. In "Slip or Trip?", objective evidence from the autopsy (cause of death) is complemented by narrative elements, such as Queenie's behavior and the contextual details of the event. This duality allows for a richer interpretation of the incident, helping to distinguish between accidental and intentional actions, and supports nuanced conclusions about the narrative .

Understanding the principles of photosynthesis enhances justification in scientific claims about plant growth by providing a scientific basis for why certain environmental conditions affect growth. Photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen, is critical for plant development. By linking empirical evidence, such as varying growth rates under different light exposures, to photosynthesis, researchers can justify claims with established scientific processes, hence strengthening argumentation and clarifying reasoning .

How to Write a Scientific Explanation
Name:_______
 Components 

Make a claim about the problem. 

Provide evidence for the
Examples of Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (in order of increasing complexity)
Example 1
The Question:
What do plants need to
The Question:
What do plants need to grow?
Our Claim:  
Plants need water, carbon dioxide, and light to grow.
Our Evidence:
At five-feet-six and a hundred and ten pounds, Queenie Vanderbilt was a sight to behold and to cherish. One 
night, after an
Your Name:

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