Reading a Paper: the Claim, the Evidence and the Assumption · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Reading a paper backwards

Science · Scientific Inquiry · ages 23-24
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. What are the two parts of every argument?

    • Claim plus evidence
    • Paper plus ink
    • Data plus fonts

  2. In what order should you read a research paper?

    • Method, then claim, then figures
    • Claim, key figure, then method
    • References first, always

  3. A paper leans on one study. What does it assume?

    • The tested group was typical
    • Every reader already agrees
    • Colorful figures prove it

  4. Which question does the real work when reading?

    • How long is the paper
    • Which failed assumption collapses the conclusion
    • Which font was used

  5. A paper leans on a comparison. What does it assume?

    • Bigger samples are always typical
    • Single examples prove everything
    • The two things were alike in ways that matter

  6. The far-away quasar claim assumes what about redshift?

    • Redshift truly signals distance
    • Redshift measures weight
    • Redshift counts authors

  7. A bold claim with shaky uncertainty and untested assumptions deserves full trust.

    Circle one:   True   False

  8. What would a mismatched quasar-galaxy pair test?

    • Telescope mirror quality
    • Whether redshift truly signals distance
    • How quasars get their names
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_YFgMvbohC0-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Reading a paper backwards W1-mt_YFgMvbohC0-s1

  1. Claim plus evidence · Separate them before judging anything.
  2. Claim, key figure, then method · Claim first keeps you active and focused.
  3. The tested group was typical · Studies generalize only from typical groups.
  4. Which failed assumption collapses the conclusion · That question turns reading into checkable tests.
  5. The two things were alike in ways that matter · Unfair comparisons collapse with their hidden prop.
  6. Redshift truly signals distance · Distance from redshift sets the huge energy bill.
  7. False · Uncertainty must support the claim strength.
  8. Whether redshift truly signals distance · Same direction with different redshifts breaks the link.
Worksheet · LightMySky