Week 11 evidence F24

Week 11 Overview

  • Focus on the intersection of Indigenous Knowledge, Scientific Knowledge, and Evidence.

Previous Week Notes

  • Discussion on Annotated Bibliographies and Cultural Bias.

Today's Focus

  • Introduction to Indigenous Knowledge, Scientific Knowledge, and different types of Evidence.

  • Mention of Scientific Evidence and Statistical Evidence.

Indigenous Knowledges

  • Knowledge passed down through generations.

  • Emerges from holistic knowledge systems.

  • Expressed through various mediums: oral traditions, ceremonies, arts, artifacts.

  • Reflection of ongoing practices and innovations in areas such as:

    • History and Law

    • Spirituality and Agriculture

    • Environment and Science

    • Medicine and Animal Behavior

    • Art, Music, Dance, Craft, and Construction

  • Reference: University of Alberta LibGuide on “First Nations, Metis, and Inuit.”

Indigenous Research Methods

  • Questions the assumption of researcher neutrality.

  • Aims to integrate Indigenous identity into postcolonial academic frameworks.

  • Challenges domination, patriarchy, and racism in methodologies.

  • Gaining more acceptance in academic circles.

  • Reference: University of Alberta LibGuide on “First Nations, Metis, and Inuit.”

Connecting with the Land and Indigenous Science

  • Emphasis on understanding Indigenous science through cultural connections.

  • Dr. Myrle Ballard serves as Chief Indigenous Science Advisor at the University of Manitoba.

Bridging Indigenous & Western Science

  • Foundational concepts of braiding Indigenous and Western scientific methodologies: weaving of knowledge systems.

Comparative Framework of Traditional Western Science vs. Indigenous Knowledge

Traditional Western Science

  • Focus on empiricism and quantitative data.

  • Based on limited evidence, physical world explanations.

  • Knowledge is stable but open to modifications.

  • Emphasizes practical skills and body of knowledge.

  • Habits include skepticism, honesty, and respect for evidence.

  • Skills involve experimentation, hypothesis testing, and empirical observation.

Indigenous Knowledge

  • Holistic understanding linking the physical and metaphysical universe.

  • Focus on moral codes and respect for interconnectedness in nature.

  • Explains natural phenomena in the context of daily life and traditional practices.

  • Habits of mind include perseverance, trust in inherited wisdom, and open-mindedness.

Scientific Method Steps

  • Observe and identify problems.

  • Develop hypotheses and design experiments.

  • Theorize based on results and communicate findings.

  • Replicate studies for reliability and generalizability.

Evaluating Scientific Studies

Advantages

  • Systematic nature and methodological rigor.

  • Reliance on publicly verifiable data.

  • Precision in findings.

Limitations

  • Variation in research quality and contradictory findings.

  • Research supports, but does not prove, conclusions.

  • Potential biases of researchers may distort findings.

  • Iterative nature of “facts” can change with new data.

  • Financial motivations can compromise integrity.

Issues with Surveys and Questionnaires

  • Validity can be compromised due to:

    • Respondent bias or misunderstandings.

    • Ambiguity in questions.

    • Contextual predispositions affecting results.

  • Need for critical examination of methodologies in studies.

Strategies for Evaluating Scientific Studies

  • Ask critical questions about:

    • Source quality.

    • Replication of studies.

    • Balance in reporting opposing views.

    • Soundness of methodology.

    • Bias or motivation behind the report.

Generalizing from Research Studies

  • Ensure the representativeness of studies:

    • Larger samples tend to be more accurate.

    • Diversified samples reflect the studied phenomena.

    • Random selection of participants.

Understanding Evidence

Factual Claims

  • Require supportive evidence to validate assertions.

  • Key questions:

    • What’s the proof?

    • Where is the evidence?

    • Can claims be substantiated?

Intuition as Evidence

  • Defined as knowledge from within, often viewed as divine or innate.

  • Modern understanding connects it to experience-based decision-making.

  • Consider reliability and potential pitfalls of relying solely on intuition.

Personal Experience as Evidence

  • Subject to individual biases and perspectives.

  • Often seen as experiential, but can vary significantly across individuals.

Recognizing Fallacies in Arguments

Character-Based Fallacies

  • Avoid judging arguments based on the characteristics of the speaker.

  • Arguments should be assessed on merit.

Appeal to Authority

  • Can be valid if the authority is credible in the field.

  • Critical to evaluate the relevance and recency of the authority's expertise.

Common Logical Fallacies

  • Discussed fallacies include:

    • Appeal to questionable authority—when non-experts are relied upon for expertise.

    • Post hoc fallacies—assuming causation from correlation.

    • Hasty generalization—drawing conclusions based on non-representative examples.

Statistics and Evidence

Understanding Statistics

  • Numerical data perceived as objective and authoritative.

  • Different measures of central tendency include mean, median, and mode.

  • Statistical misuse can involve:

    • Sampling bias or selective representation of data.

Manipulation of Data Presentation

  • Importance of context in interpreting statistical findings.

  • Use of misleading graphs or selective data points can distort meanings.

Conclusion

  • Critical thinking in evaluating evidence and statistics is necessary for sound arguments.

  • Questioning assumptions, methodologies, and implications leads to better understanding and informed judgment.