Evaluating Research Evidence

Because SPU involves 'science in the making' where the conclusions are not agreed, research evidence will frequently need evaluation. Use this checklist (41 KB) (download) to remind students what to look for each time they are presented with controversial conclusions. This approach is very similar to that used in '6. Evaluating newspaper articles'. It will help students to understand parts of '12.1 Data and Explanations' and 12.3 Causal links' and to write effective evaluations in their coursework project.

There is a more detailed list of evaluation criteria in the text book page 226.