Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (C-E-R) Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards defining the key concepts and terms of the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning scientific argumentation framework.

C-E-R Framework

A strategy for arguing ideas in science that relies on three main components: Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning.

Scientific Argument

An argument that begins with a question, proposes an answer through a claim, provides supporting data as evidence, and clearly explains how the evidence supports the claim.

Claim

Usually one sentence that states the answer or hypothesis to a research question.

Evidence

Observations, measurements, and data collected from an experiment that support a claim.

Reasoning

The component that ties together the claim and evidence by explaining how the evidence supports the claim using scientific principles.

Visual Evidence

A drawn or designed picture that supports or summarizes a scientific article or argument.

Research Question

A question that a researcher aims to answer through scientific investigation.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction that states the expected outcome of an experiment.

Conclusion

A summary of the findings from an experiment that relates back to the hypothesis and answers the research question.

Experimental Design

The process of planning an experiment to ensure valid and reliable results, including selection of variables, controls, and methods of data collection.

Control Group

A standard of comparison in an experiment that is not exposed to the experimental treatment, used to ensure that any observed effect is due to the treatment itself.

Independent Variable

The factor that is manipulated by the researcher in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The factor that is measured or observed in response to the manipulation of the independent variable in an experiment.

Repeatability

The ability to obtain consistent results across multiple trials of an experiment, indicating the reliability of the findings.

Scientific Theory

A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a body of evidence and has been repeatedly tested and confirmed.

Variables

Any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types in an experiment; generally categorized as independent, dependent, or controlled variables.