Examining Evidence

Another important part of thinking critically is checking that the evidence supporting an argument—whether someone else’s or your own—is of the highest possible quality. To do that, simply ask a few questions about the argument as you consider it:

If you have evaluated the evidence used in support of a claim and are still not certain of its quality, it’s best to keep looking for more evidence. Drawing on questionable evidence for an argument has a tendency to backfire. In most cases, a little persistence will help you find better sources.