CS4001: Computing, Society and Professionalism Sauvik Das | Assistant Professor Evidence February 1 st , 2018
Writing Arguments u The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires you to: u Investigate a topic; u Collect, generate and evaluate evidence; and, u Establish a position on the topic in a concise manner. u You’re going to be writing an argumentative essay for your term paper – proposals are due February 15 th , so start thinking about it now!
What is evidence? u All the verifiable information a writer might use as support for their argument. u Part of the “grounds” and “backing” of an argument in support of reasons and warrant. u Many different types of evidence… what are examples?
Types of Evidence u Examples from personal experience or knowledge u Personal observation or field research u Interviews, questionnaires & surveys u Data from reading and extant research u Testimony u Statistical data u Hypothetical examples, cases and scenarios
Personal experience u “Despite the recent criticism that Ritalin is overprescribed for ADHD, it can often seem like a miracle drug. My little brother is a perfect example, before he was given the drug, he was a terror in school...” u Strengths? u Limitations?
Observation / field research u “The intersection at Fifth and Montgomery is particularly dangerous because pedestrians almost never find a comfortable break in the heavy flow of cars. On April 29, I watched 57 pedestrians cross the street. Not once did cars stop in both directions before the pedestrian stepped off the sidewalk onto the street… (continue with observed data about danger)” u Strengths? u Limitations?
Interviews / questionnaires u “Another reason to ban laptops from classroom is the extent to which laptop users disturb other students. In a questionnaire that I distributed to 50 students in my residence hall, a surprising 60% said that they were annoyed by fellow student’ sending email, paying their bills or surfing the web, while pretending to take notes in class. Additionally, I interviewed 5 students who gave me specific examples of how these distractions interfere with learning…” u Strengths? u Limitations?
Testimony u “Although the Swedish economist Bjorn Lomborg claims that acid rain is not a significant problem, many environmentalists disagree. According to David Bellamany, president of the Conservation Foundation, “Acid rain does kill forests and people around the world, and it is s:ll going so in the most polluted places, such as Russia” (qtd. In BBC News)” u Strengths? u Limitations?
Statistics u “Americans are delaying marriage at a surprising rate. In 1970, 85% of Americans between the ages of 25-29 years were married. In 2010, however, only 45% were married (A. Source).” u Strengths? u Limitations?
Class discussion: Understanding of Evidence u Claim: Testing computer software is expensive and can consume a lot of resources. u Evidence : It is estimated that the cost of developing the Boeing 777 is $10B. 35% of this cost is for software and half of those costs were for testing (published reports and Boeing Senior Research Fellow). Thus, the estimated cost of testing software in the Boeing 777 was $1.8B. u What type(s) of evidence is (are) provided to support the claim?
Class discussion: Understanding of Evidence u Claim: Software maintenance is the most expensive part of software development. u Evidence : Software maintenance can account for as much as 2/3rds of the overall cost of software production (Pressman 1992, Schach 1994). u What type(s) of evidence is (are) provided to support the claim?
Persuasive Use of Evidence u Assuming an audience of educated, reasonable and careful readers who approach an issue with health skepticism, what demands would they make of a writer’s use of evidence?
Group discussion: Persuasive evidence u Claim: Testing computer software is expensive and can consume a lot of resources. u Evidence : It is estimated that the cost of developing the Boeing 777 is $10B. 35% of this cost is for software and half of those costs were for testing (published reports and Boeing Senior Research Fellow). Thus, the estimated cost of testing software in the Boeing 777 was $1.8B. u In groups of 2-4, discuss if the evidence presented is effective in convincing you that the claim is true. Why or why not?
Persuasive Use of Evidence u Apply the STAR Criteria (by Richard Fulkerson) u S ufficiency: Is there enough evidence? u T ypicality: Is the chosen evidence representative and typical? u A ccuracy: Is the evidence accurate and up to date? u R elevance: Is the evidence relevant to the claim?
Class discussion: Using the STAR criteria u Claim: Testing computer software is expensive and can consume a lot of resources. u Evidence : It is estimated that the cost of developing the Boeing 777 is $10B. 35% of this cost is for software and half of those costs were for testing (published reports and Boeing Senior Research Fellow). Thus, the estimated cost of testing software in the Boeing 777 was $1.8B. u Use the STAR criteria to evaluate the presented evidence.
Sources u Use sources your audience can trust u Take into account, for example, the political leanings of the source u Level of review to have something published u Very different review process for different publications u Journalism u Book chapters u Refereed journal articles u Conference papers u Refereed u Non-refereed
Framing evidence We enter arguments as complex people, bringing in our own ideologies, beliefs and u values. These guiding beliefs help create a writer’s “angle of vision” How evidence is presented in an argument illustrates a writer’s angle of vision. u Two speakers arguing about how the city should spend money. The first argues in u support of routing more resources to the homeless, the second argues to increase tourism. u First: Starts with a story of a homeless man spending a night in the freezing cold without shelter u Second: Starts with a story of how shoppers are harassed by pan handlers.
Framing matters What’s this bird up to? Is it having a good day or a bad day?
Framing matters Bad day.
Class discussion: What are some framing strategies?
Many strategies for framing evidence u Controlling the space given to supporting versus contrary evidence u Emphasizing a detailed story vs. presenting lots of facts and statistics u Provide contextual and interpretive comments when presenting data u Putting contrary evidence in subordinate positions u “Although mosh pit accidents are rare, when they do occur…” u “Although there have been cases of bad mosh pit accidents, they are very rare” u Changing labels and names that guide the reader’s response to data u “mosh pit” vs festival seating u Using images to guide the reader’s response to data u Openly address your underlying values in your framing
Framing statistical evidence u Raw numbers vs percentages: u Total number of child abductions vs percentage of children abducted u Median vs. mean: u Mean income for retirees is $42k u Median income is $28k u Unadjusted vs adjusted numbers u Comparing GPA from 1970s vs now u Comparing salaries from 1970s vs now
Group Activity: Term Paper proposals u In groups of 2-4, discuss ideas you might be considering for your term paper proposals as well as a plan for gathering evidence. u Your term paper proposal topics should be an issue related to computing & society that you are initially undecided about. You will eventually take a stand on the issue after gathering evidence.
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