Relationships between data points can be complex
健全な論理を使うことは、上級英語コミュニケーションに不可欠で、会議や、プレゼンテーションや会話などで、明快な解答をしたり、また、英語のスピーキングテストの「論理」の部分でより高得点を獲得する事が可能です。このレッスンでは、データの使い方を学習します。
Gathering data is an important part of logical thinking, but it is crucial to keep in mind that not all data are equal in validity or relevance. In order to use sound logic, weeding out any erroneous or irrelevant data is an unavoidable part of the process.
A man pointed to research showing that of the five countries where Sugarette drinks sell the most units, four of them are in the top ten healthiest countries on Earth, therefore drinking Sugarette leads to a healthy lifestyle.
We can agree that he is incorrect, but why is he incorrect?
This is called cherry picking data. We select only the data that is useful, and ignore the rest.
Ask your student what other data is necessary to know if Sugarette drinks are healthy. This might include:
- Do individuals who drink it become healthier?
- Do doctors or health experts say it's healthy?
- Maybe the people who drink it have money, and people who have money are healthy?
- Do you think 4 out of the top 10 healthiest countries is enough?
Incomplete evidence can be used to back up any kind of argument. This is called cherry-picking data.
I heard that living near a wind farm is bad for your health, and I did a Google search about it, and found hundreds of articles saying it's true!
To discuss this, we can say:
- While it's true that there are hundreds of people on the internet that say wind farms are bad for your health, there are also millions of articles on the internet as a whole, so we can find articles on many, many topics. We also have to look at the writers—are they trustworthy?
Can you think of anything else to discuss the credibility of this argument? Here are some useful phrases to help you:
- While it's true that __A__, __B___ is also true.
- We also have to look at/ consider/ think about/ take a look at...
Two more phrases:
- We have to look more closely at the data regarding...
- Let's consider this in a wider context...
Some ways of finishing these sentences might be:
- We have to consider... scientific studies. Are they being quoted, and are the studies valid?
- We have to look more closely at the data regarding... wind farms—what percentage of scientists agree?
- Let's consider this in a wider context. What do most articles in general say about it?
If you Google: wind farms are bad for your health you will find a lot of people saying it's true. Most scientists agree it's wind farms pose no risk.
A. Let's discuss this politician's claim:
"The economy is getting worse, and good people are unable to find work. I talked to a young man named Jim, and he's been out of work for six months. I talked to a woman named Sheryl who told me she was laid off last year. Every day, I talk to people who are having trouble!"
Is this argument valid? What would you need to make a stronger argument about the economy?
B. Now consider these statistics:
New York roads are so dangerous! In 2015, New York saw 966 traffic related deaths! In Wyoming, there were only 190 in the same year.
Is this argument valid? What would you need to make a stronger argument about road safety?