AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Human activities which contribute to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere: evaluate the quality of evidence in a report about global climate change given appropriate information
Evaluating evidence quality means judging how trustworthy a climate report is, not simply summarising it.
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Evaluating evidence quality means judging how trustworthy a climate report is, not simply summarising it. Work through the evidence systematically: identify the claim, then ask how the data were obtained. Consider sample size, timescale and geographical spread; a conclusion drawn from ten years of records at one weather station is weaker than one from decades of global satellite and ground measurements. Check whether measurements are reliable and repeatable, whether sources are peer-reviewed, and whether the report distinguishes measured data from computer-model projections. Look for bias, selective use of data, missing uncertainties and conflicts of interest. Weigh strengths against weaknesses and reach a justified overall judgement about how much confidence the evidence deserves.
What earns the marks
- Identifies the claim or conclusion being made and the evidence offered in its support.
- Judges the reliability of data by considering sample size, timescale, geographical coverage and whether measurements are repeatable.
- Distinguishes measured data from modelled projections and comments on the assumptions involved.
- Assesses the source for bias, peer review, conflicts of interest and selective presentation of data.
- Weighs strengths and weaknesses together to reach a justified overall judgement about confidence in the evidence.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Describing what the report says instead of judging how good the evidence is; correct by evaluating method, source and data quality rather than restating content.
Treating all evidence as equally reliable.
Put it right by ranking evidence, for example long-term global instrumental records above a single anecdotal observation.
Assuming a computer model is automatically wrong or automatically correct.
Put it right by discussing the assumptions, inputs and validation of the model.
Exam tips
- Use the information given in the question; do not rely on outside knowledge alone.
- Structure your answer as strengths, weaknesses and an overall judgement so every element is visible.
- Use comparative language such as more reliable, less representative or limited coverage to show evaluation rather than description.
Try the lesson
The start of the Human activities which contribute to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere: evaluate the quality of evidence in a report about global climate change given appropriate information lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A report about global climate change states that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have risen significantly over the last century. Which piece of evidence would best support this statement?
Listen
Evaluating evidence quality means judging how trustworthy a climate report is, not simply summarising it. Work through the evidence systematically: identify the claim, then ask how the data were obtained. Consider sample size, timescale and geographical spread; a conclusion drawn from ten years of records at one weather station is weaker than one from decades of global satellite and ground measurements. Check whether measurements are reliable and repeatable, whether sources are peer-reviewed, and whether the report distinguishes measured data from computer-model projections. Look for bias, selective use of data, missing uncertainties and conflicts of interest. Weigh strengths against weaknesses and reach a justified overall judgement about how much confidence the evidence deserves. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identifies the claim or conclusion being made and the evidence offered in its support. Judges the reliability of data by considering sample size, timescale, geographical coverage and whether measurements are repeatable. Distinguishes measured data from modelled projections and comments on the assumptions involved. Assesses the source for bias, peer review, conflicts of interest and selective presentation of data. A common slip: Describing what the report says instead of judging how good the evidence is. Instead, evaluating method, source and data quality rather than restating content. Exam tip: Use the information given in the question; do not rely on outside knowledge alone.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Evidence quality and reliability
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Bias and source credibility
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Distinguishing data from models
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Justified conclusions
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See every definition
- Evidence quality and reliability
- Judging how trustworthy a climate report is by considering sample size, timescale, geographical spread and whether measurements are reliable and repeatable.
- Bias and source credibility
- Looking for bias, selective use of data, missing uncertainties and conflicts of interest, and checking whether sources are peer-reviewed.
- Distinguishing data from models
- Checking whether the report distinguishes measured data from computer-model projections and commenting on the assumptions involved.
- Justified conclusions
- Weighing strengths against weaknesses to reach a justified overall judgement about how much confidence the evidence deserves.
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