Arguments and evidence

Selecting credible sources for your assignments enhances the quality and reliability of your work, making your arguments more persuasive and impactful. On the other hand, choosing the wrong sources can make your arguments weaker.

Find out the difference between a strong and weak argument, and what information sources are considered reliable.

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Weak arguments

Weak arguments rely on insufficient, unreliable, or irrelevant evidence, leading to unconvincing conclusions.

Examples

Here are some, but not all, types of information sources that can weaken your work if relied upon too heavily. Understanding these can help you make more informed choices in your research.

• Opinion pieces: These are based on personal views and may lack factual support. For example, a blog post about climate change without scientific evidence. When reading opinion pieces, keep in mind who the author is and if they have any strong beliefs or affiliations which could lead to bias.
• Outdated sources: Information from a decade ago might not reflect current knowledge. This is particularly the case in medical and technology fields.
• Anecdotal pieces: These rely on personal stories rather than data. For example, websites that make claims about conspiracies may not list their sources about where their information has come from and should be treated with caution.
• Unverified online sources: Websites without credibility checks. For example, a random wiki page edited by anyone.
• Non-peer-reviewed articles: Articles that haven’t been evaluated by experts, for example, a self-published paper on a complex scientific topic, should also be treated with caution. This is because the way that the study was conducted, the results and the interpretation of the results have not been checked and verified by industry experts.
• Assumptions: These are ideas presented without evidence. For example, if I assume that all students learn the same way without considering individual differences, this can weaken my argument.

Strong evidence

Strong information sources provide reliable, relevant, and well-supported data that makes your work more convincing. Below are some key types of strong information sources to guide you in selecting the most effective materials for your research.

Examples

• Peer-reviewed journal articles: These articles undergo evaluation by experts in the field, ensuring accuracy and validity. For example, a research article published in well-respected journals like Nature or The Lancet.
• Government data and official reports: These sources offer authoritative and reliable information. For instance, the Australian Bureau of Statistics provides comprehensive data on demographics and economic indicators, which can be crucial for evidence-based research.
• Books by experts: Authored by recognised authorities, these books provide in-depth analysis and insights. An example is a comprehensive text on economics by a renowned economist.
• Academic conference papers: These are often peer-reviewed and they usually present current research and developments. For example, recordings from the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence could be a strong source of information for students of information technology subjects.
• Reputable news outlets: Articles from news sources that are known for fact-checking and reliability, such as articles from the ABC, the BBC or The Guardian, often offer well-researched information.

Responding to authors' claims

While you read books and articles or watch videos to find information for your assignments, remember to think about how the authors support their claims. Are they using evidence from reputable sources or are they relying on unchecked sources and assumptions?

Once you have found information that you would like to cite in your work, here are some techniques that can be used. In these examples, the writer will use weak points on which to base their counter arguments and strong points to support their argument.
Concession + counter claim
Example: Admittedly, there are benefits to Bako’s (2022) plan for overhauling the education system. However, they do not justify the costs that will be borne by taxpayers.

Refute with evidence
Example: Cienfuegos (2024) claims that intermittent fasting can reduce inflammation. This is despite a lack of support from recent empirical studies.

Acknowledge opposing views
Example: A number of academics (Daalman, 2021; Aronov & Weller, 2021; Stojanovski 2019) are of the view that an excess of sugar can cause hyperactivity in children, but a new study by Zapatero (2024) shows that this may not be the case.

Identify a lack of evidence
Example: Whittaker (2023) does not support their claim with evidence from a reliable source.

Comparative analysis
Example: Smith (2020) uses anecdotal evidence from a personal experience to conclude that positive education is completely ineffective. On the other hand, Christopoulos (2023) conducted a systematic review that shows that positive education can be an effective classroom tool.