Claims, Evidence, Reasoning
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Transcript Claims, Evidence, Reasoning
Claims, Evidence,
Reasoning
What is it?
In science, an answer you give must be supported with
data, and that data must be interpreted.
CER is a logical way to ensure that you answer the
question, provide data, and interpret what that data
means with respect to the question.
Always answer the question with a claim, evidence,
and then reasoning.
What are they?
Claim: “A statement or question that answers the
original question / problem.”
Evidence: “Scientific data that supports the claim. The
data needs to be appropriate and sufficient to support
the claim.”
Reasoning: “A justification that connects the evidence
to the claim. It shows why the data counts as evidence
by using appropriate and sufficient scientific principles.”
Source: http://www.nsta.org/elementaryschool/connections/201104ClaimsEvidenceRubric.pdf
Example:
Question: Which of the following is more dense: a ball
made of lead, or a ball made of wood having the same
volume as the lead ball?
Claim: The lead ball is more dense.
Evidence: The lead ball’s mass 50 g, while the wood
ball’s mass is 40 g.
Reasoning: Because the lead ball’s mass is 10 g greater
than the wood ball’s mass, and
mass
density =
volume
the lead ball must have a greater density.
Practice
Identify the following as a claim, evidence, or
reasoning:
The 400 g car was displaced 30 cm after the collision,
while the 200 g car was displaced 60 cm after the
collision.
The heavier the car, the less distance the car will be
displaced after colliding with another car.
The two cars moved with the same speed prior to the
collision. After colliding, the car with the greater mass
was displaced a smaller distance because it takes a
greater amount of energy to move a larger mass.