THINGS Flashcards
(26 cards)
Reliability acronym
RAVENB
R
reputation
A
Ability to see
V
Vested interest
E
Expertise
N
Neutailty
B
Bias
How can number involved in a study be a weakness
If the sample size is too small, the conclusion about a population may not be valid
How can selectivity weaken a study
Method of selection may weaken - e.g self selected means that only people who feel strongly about the subject will be a part of it
What are the key elements of an argument
Main Conclusion
Intermediate Conclusion
Reason
Count Assertion
Counter Argument
Example
Evidence
Counter assertion
Statement which opposes another claim, without giving evidence or explanation
Counter argument
Statement which has a conclusion and reason against the main conclusion
Equivocation
shifting from one meaning of a word, to a different meaning
Conflation
Treating two words as if they are interchangeable even though their meanings are different
Circular argument
Relying on a claim in order to prove it
Begging the question
Focusing an argument on an uncontroversial aspect of an issue, which assuming the key point to be true
Post hoc
Just because one event follows another does not mean it caused it
Rash generalisation
Basing a generalisation on inadequate evidence
Sweeping generalisation
Not allowing for exceptions to a generalisation
Restriction of options
Denying the possibility of other options in order to claim that anyone who rejects one extreme must accept its opposite
Confusion of necessary and sufficient conditions
Interpreting a necessary condition as if it were sufficient, or vice versa
Slippery slope
A small number of small steps, which leads to disastrous consequences
Ad hominem
Personal attack - attacking the person not their argument
Straw man argument
Misrepresenting opponents arguments in order to respond to them more easily
