HOW TO #askforevidence #A4Eemerson

1. Identify a Claim Where do you look? – Take note of a product claim that is not supported by evidence. – Look for a claim in the media where the information may be misrepresented. – Consider a public policy or statement by a political figure that may be unfounded or misinformed.

2. Ask for Evidence How do you ask? – Send an You can use this form to generate an – Make a phone call See this link for tips on calling companies – Write a letter Visit this link for tips on writing to newspapers – Contact a public figure claim-maker Tips at

2. Ask for Evidence What do you ask? – Ask about the Science behind the claim What kind of testing has been done (controlled, blinded tests; a clinical trial; lab studies on an ingredient)? What is the mechanism behind the science? – Ask about the status of evidence for the claim Has the research been peer reviewed and published? Has it been replicated?

2. Ask for Evidence Tips for a powerful inquiry – Ask about claims that are current. – Isolate a single claim. – Be concise and specific about what you’re asking. – Indicate why you’re asking (personal relationship to claim or product). – Indicate that you’re making your inquiry known to the Ask for Evidence campaign and its supporters (and actually make it known!) Tweet using Use claim-maker’s handle to help elicit a reply #askforevidence and #A4Eemerson

3. Identify Evidence How do you get evidence? – You may get a response from your inquiry (the claim- maker’s details on the evidence or their suggestions of relevant sources to investigate) – Identify evidence on your own/with your class Prioritize primary sources, peer-reviewed sources Discuss how to find the best evidence in your discipline of study.

4. Evaluate Evidence How do you know what to conclude? – Think back to your questions about the science behind and status of the claim. – Utilize faculty and librarian experts and classroom discussions to help you evaluate. – Check out Sense About Science resources for help with making sense of statistics and a variety of claim-specific topics earch&&page=1 – Reach out to the local Voice of Young Science network where helpful. (Write to )

5. Communicate your findings Produce an Ask for Evidence Case-Study –What was the claim and where did you see it? –Why did you decide to ask for evidence? –What did you do/How did you get evidence? –Did you get a reply? –What is your conclusion and why?

5. Communicate your findings Tips for good Ask for Evidence Case-Study – Be concise (limit to 200 words) and conversational (think blog, avoid jargon) – Be clear about the evidence you used (cite and link to your sources) and indicate what factors mattered. – Avoid assumptions– don’t become a claim that someone else will have to ask for evidence about!

5. Communicate your findings Publicize your findings – Provide case studies (and a photo of yourself) for posting on – Tweet about it using both – Develop complementary ways to communicate your evidence (video PSAs, podcasts, written or visual media) #askforevidence and #A4Eemerson (together!)

5. Communicate your findings Funding available to support the further development or dissemination of student work! Look for requests for proposals at the end of the semester. Proposal considered for work initiated in class or developed independently Successful proposals will communicate evidence, combat pseudoscience, or rectify common misconceptions promote the need for evidence, the process of asking for and evaluating evidence, or the A4E campaign itself. OR