Is the data specific? Data
given to back up a claim needs
to be exact. Notes and
observations made should be
detailed and clear. Notes
should be made during the
investigation, not after the fact.
Can the results be replicated?
Scientists require repeatable
evidence. Other scientists
should be able to repeat the
investigation and get the same
results. When evaluating data,
look to see if other scientists
have repeated the data. If not,
the data might not be reliable.
Step 1: Evaluate the Data
Step 1: Evaluate the Data
Does the conclusion make
sense? For the conclusion to
be reliable, it must be
plausible.
Are there any other possible
explanations? Conclusions
are not reliable unless other
possible explanations are
proven unlikely.
Step 2: Evaluate the Conclusions
Step 2: Evaluate the Conclusions