Evaluating Evidence and Claims

Why is it important to look for evidence when evaluating online information?

• To make the information easier to read.

• To ensure the information is entertaining.

• To determine if the claims are true and credible.

• To find out who posted the information.

Besides asking "Who said that?" and "Why did they say it?", what is the third important question to ask when evaluating online information?

• How many people shared it?

• What is the evidence?

• Is it popular on social media?

• Is it easy to understand?

What term describes information where the evidence provided does not support the claim being made?

• Factual claim

• Subjective opinion

• Misinformation or disinformation

• Reliable source

A senator once brought a snowball to the Senate floor to argue against global warming. Why was this considered poor evidence?

• The snowball was too small to be convincing.

• Weather is what happens daily, while climate is the overall trend.

• Snowballs are not scientific tools.

• The senator was not a scientist.

What is a key characteristic of reliable evidence?

• It confirms what you already believe.

• It comes from a source that is also supported by other trustworthy sources.

• It is shared widely on social media.

• It is presented in a convincing way.

You see a social media post claiming a major historical event was faked and links to a video from a channel known for conspiracy theories. What is the best first step to evaluate this claim?

• Share the post immediately to warn others.

• Watch the video to see if it sounds convincing.

• Check if other reliable sources, like encyclopedias or news organizations, confirm the event.

• Ask your friends if they believe the claim.

A social media comment states that e-cigarettes are safe for teenagers because they help adults stop smoking. Why is this an example of irrelevant evidence?

• The comment is from an unknown user.

• Stopping smoking is not the same as being safe for teenagers.

• E-cigarettes are known to be harmful to everyone.

• The comment does not provide scientific studies.

A local news report shows that ice cream sales and the number of shark attacks both increase during the summer months. The report suggests that eating ice cream causes shark attacks. What is the main problem with this conclusion?

• Ice cream sales are not accurately measured.

• Shark attacks are rare events.

• Both events are likely caused by a third factor, like warm weather.

• Sharks do not eat ice cream.