1. Evaluating
Theory
Use SCOUT

2. What studies or research evidence supports the theory? How?
S Supporting Evidence
What studies or research evidence supports the theory? How?
‘This supports….because….’

3. C Contradicting Evidence
What studies or research evidence contradicts a theory?
‘This contradicts/ challenges….because….’

4. O Opposing (other) theories
What alternative explanations are there? How do they compare?
‘This contrasts to….’
‘A different theory is….’

5. U Usefulness
What are the practical applications of this theory? How is it useful?
How does it contribute to society?

6. T Testability
What are the research methods used to investigate this theory?
What methods does the supporting research use?
How can these be evaluated in terms of GRAVE?

7. G Generalisability What is the sample like?
Is it representative of the wider population?
Can the results of the study be generalised to everyone?

8. R Reliability How far is the study controlled and standardised?
Can it be objectively replicated to get the same results?

9. A Application
What do the results of the study suggest which is useful for society?
How can this study contribute to helping society?

10. V Validity How accurately did the study measure what it set out to?
How far was cause-effect established?
Were there any extraneous variables which might have influenced the results?
Was it artificial? Does it have task/ecological validity?

11. E Ethics How accurately did the study measure what it set out to?
How far was cause-effect established?
Were there any extraneous variables which might have influenced the results?

12. Evaluating
Studies
Use GRAVE