Data and Evidence

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Qualitative Observation Noun

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[kwol-i-tey-tiv ob-zer-vey-shuhn]

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Qualitative Observation

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An observation made using the five senses to gather non-numerical information, such as color, texture, or general descriptions.

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Example: This image shows that qualitative observations in science are made using our five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

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Quantitative Observation Noun

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[kwon-ti-tey-tiv ob-zer-vey-shuhn]

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Quantitative Observation

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An observation that is measurable and expressed in numbers or data, often made with instruments like rulers or thermometers.

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Example: This diagram shows a measurement of the mercury column's height as '760 mm,' which is a quantitative observation because it uses a number and a unit.

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Claim Noun

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[kleym]

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Claim

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A statement that summarizes the argument a writer is defending, representing the main point that is being proven.

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Example: This graphic defines a claim as an author's main point, a statement believed to be true, and something that can be argued.

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Evidence Noun

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[ev-i-duhns]

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Evidence

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Factual information, data, or material presented to support or disprove a claim, serving as proof for an argument.

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Example: The results of an experiment, like a pumice stone floating and an obsidian stone sinking, provide evidence about the properties of different rocks.

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Reasoning Noun

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[ree-zuh-ning]

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Reasoning

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The explanation of how or why the evidence provided supports the claim, linking the proof back to the argument.

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Example: Using a question mark inside a lightbulb shows the mental process of using thinking to move from a question or problem to a conclusion or idea.

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Data analysis Noun

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[dey-tuh uh-nal-uh-sis]

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Data analysis

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The process of systematically searching and arranging research materials like transcripts or fieldnotes to enable you to find patterns.

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Example: This icon shows data points on a graph with a line drawn through them, representing the process of finding patterns or trends in information.

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Data interpretation Noun

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[dey-tuh in-tur-pri-tey-shuhn]

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Data interpretation

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The process of developing ideas about research findings and relating them to broader concepts and existing academic literature.

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Example: This graph shows how to interpret data by comparing two variables, rainfall and temperature, over the months of a year to find patterns.

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Fieldnotes Noun

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[feeld-nohts]

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Fieldnotes

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A researcher's written account of what they hear, see, experience, and think during the course of a qualitative study.

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Example: This image shows a real example of fieldnotes, which combine written observations about an event with a hand-drawn map of the location.

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Transcripts Noun

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[tran-skripts]

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Transcripts

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A written, word-for-word record of a recorded event, such as an interview or conversation, used for detailed analysis.

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Example: This image shows a transcript, which is a written record of a conversation. Scientists can use transcripts as data or evidence to analyze spoken information.

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Coding Noun

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[koh-ding]

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Coding

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The process of applying labels to segments of data to assign symbolic meaning and categorize information for analysis.

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Example: This image shows data coding: first, you create categories (codes), and then you find and highlight parts of your data that fit each category.