Strong Fact, Expert Opinion, Weak Fact, Opinion

Strong Fact, Expert Opinion, Weak Fact, Opinion

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”What types of information should you find in articles in order to answer your research question?”

Strong Fact

A strong fact may include a date, a comparison, a statistic, an organization/research group, or something startling. Use strong facts in your formal research.

Example-Strong Fact

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are an estimated 1.3 billion smokers worldwide. The number is expected to increase to 1.7 billion by 2020.

Expert Opinion

An expert opinion is an opinion of a professional: doctor, researcher, president, educated person, etc. Use expert opinions sparingly in your formal research.

Example-Expert Opinion

According to Kevin D. Murray, professional security consultant an author of the book Is My Cell Phone Bugged?, early cordless phones used analog signals too, so anyone with a receiver could eavesdrop or decode the signals early.

Weak Fact

A weak fact DOES NOT give specific dates, numbers, or organizations/companies. Weak facts can sometimes be a summary of a strong fact. DO NOT use weak facts in your formal research.

Example-Weak Fact

Advertising influences people to buy things that they don't really need and cannot afford.

Opinion

An opinion is a person's belief on something: food, cellphones, politics, driving, etc. DO NOT use opinions in your formal research, with the exception of your claim statement.

Example-Opinion

Kids should not have a cell phone until sixteen years of age.

Let's practice!

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