1. Tests of Testimony By Maggie Irvin

2. What to Look For Testimony: using another person’s words or ideas to support a point. Usually an authority or some with experience and background in the topic. If evidence from authorities pass general tests, three additional checks are required Bias Competence Context

3. Bias Must know that conclusions are reached in objective manner Must know how authority arrived at information May sometimes be difficult to be objective Easier if authority’s claims are supported with appropriate facts

4. Example of Bias A representative of an airline claims that further regulations are unnecessary. Claim could be biased because the representative has interest in the outcome of the policy decision Work for the company, and personal welfare is tied to welfare of the company

5. Competence Authority should be an expert on the topic being addressed If evidence is from a well known source, one may not need to describe credentials If the source is competent but not well know, one should take time to explain qualifications

6. Example of Competence You claim that test scores are an inadequate measure of the quality of a child’s education. You find two pieces of testimony: One from a professor of education. The other from a United States senator with no background in educational testing Which is the better source? Why?

7. Context Important to represent authority evidence fairly and accurately. Time constraints can prevent lengthy explanations of quotations Carefully select most important quotations that best fit the argument Be sure the quotation means the same thing as in the original context Should reflect the original message of the authority

8. Tests for Studies Facts and statistics often derived from research Know who conducted the study Apply same tests for bias and competence Know what techniques were used in gathering data Well known, tested procedures are more likely to be accepted by an audience than untried and untested procedures.

9. Mini Quiz What are the three things to test a testimony for? Context, competence, bias What should one elaborate on if a credible source is not well known? The source’s qualifications When using a direct quote, one should make sure to reflect the (blank) of the authority. Original message

10. The End