October 7, 2025

What Is The Difference Between A Claim Evidence And Reasoning

Q: Can you have a scientific claim without evidence?

In science, a claim made without supporting evidence is considered a hypothesis or an opinion, not a valid conclusion. Scientific arguments require verifiable evidence to be credible.

Q: Is reasoning just repeating the evidence?

No. Evidence is the 'what' (e.g., the temperature increased). Reasoning is the 'why' or 'how' that connects it to the claim (e.g., '...because the chemical reaction was exothermic, releasing heat and causing the temperature to rise').

Q: In what order do you develop a claim, evidence, and reasoning?

Although arguments are often presented in the order of Claim-Evidence-Reasoning, the scientific process typically involves collecting evidence first, then forming a claim based on that evidence, and finally, developing the reasoning to explain the connection.

Q: What's a common mistake when using the CER framework?

A common mistake is providing weak reasoning. This often happens when the connection between the evidence and the claim is stated but not explained using a relevant scientific principle or concept.

Learn the core components of scientific argumentation. Understand the distinct roles of a claim, evidence, and reasoning (CER) in forming a logical conclusion.

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Defining Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning

In scientific argumentation, a claim is a concise statement that answers a question or problem. Evidence is the scientific data, observations, or facts that support the claim. Reasoning is the logical explanation that connects the evidence to the claim, often by applying a scientific principle or rule.

Section 2: The Role of Each Component

The claim acts as the main point or conclusion of your argument. The evidence serves as the proof or factual basis for that conclusion, derived directly from experiments or observations. The reasoning functions as the bridge, explaining *why* the collected evidence logically supports the claim you have made.

Section 3: A Practical Example

Imagine asking: 'Does a plant need sunlight to grow?' A structured answer using this framework would be: **Claim:** 'Yes, plants require sunlight to grow.' **Evidence:** 'A plant placed in a sunny window grew 5 cm in a week, while a similar plant in a dark closet did not grow.' **Reasoning:** 'The evidence supports the claim because the only significant variable changed was sunlight. Growth occurred only with sunlight, which is necessary for photosynthesis, the process plants use to create food for growth.'

Section 4: Why is the CER Framework Important?

The Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) framework is crucial for building clear, logical, and persuasive scientific arguments. It provides a structure for scientists and students to communicate their findings effectively, ensuring that every conclusion (claim) is backed by verifiable data (evidence) and explained with sound scientific logic (reasoning).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you have a scientific claim without evidence?

Is reasoning just repeating the evidence?

In what order do you develop a claim, evidence, and reasoning?

What's a common mistake when using the CER framework?