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English lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 30 minutes

Does the study design support the claim?

Reading Comprehension

CCSS RI.11-12.8CCSS RST.11-12.8England: SAT Reading and Writing (Command of Evidence)England: A-level Psychology and Science (research methods)England: Media literacy

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Does the study design support the claim?.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Spotting misleading statistics and graphs; Which finding would weaken (or strengthen) a claim?

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: A short text or extract (one copy each), Highlighters, Question cards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Spotting misleading statistics and graphs; Which finding would weaken (or strengthen) a claim?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is the proposed answer correct? A graph of test scores has a vertical axis starting at 78 instead of 0, so a rise from 80 to 82 looks huge. What is misleading? → the cut-off axis exaggerates a small change (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Ask: how many people or cases is this based on, and who was asked?
  2. Is the proposed answer correct? A researcher claims that playing music to cows increases the amount of milk they produce. Which finding would most directly SUPPORT this claim? → In a controlled study, cows that heard calm music produced more milk than similar cows that heard no music. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Restate the claim exactly. What would have to be true if it were right?
  3. Read the question and choose. "9 out of 10 users loved our app!" The survey asked 10 people. What's the main problem? (the sample is far too small to generalise / surveys are always biased / apps can't be surveyed / 9 out of 10 is a bad score) → the sample is far too small to generalisePrompt: Ask: how many people or cases is this based on, and who was asked?

Hook · 3 min

  • Read the first lines of a short text aloud and ask what students predict will happen and why.
  • Share the objective: Does the study design support the claim?. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: A study tracked 50,000 adults for ten years and found that those who walked daily had fewer heart problems. The researchers adjusted for age, smoking and diet, and said walking 'may help protect' the heart. Why is the researchers' wording appropriate?
  • Step 1: Strong evidence for a cause comes from fair comparisons (ideally randomised, with control groups) on large, representative samples; claims should match the strength of the evidence.
  • Step 2: Observational data, however large, justify cautious language.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: Even a large, careful observational study can suggest but not prove cause, so 'may help' is suitably cautious.
  • Answer: Even a large, careful observational study can suggest but not prove cause, so 'may help' is suitably cautious.
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Is the proposed answer correct? A company asked 15 of its own employees whether its new chair reduced back pain. Twelve said yes. The company now advertises that "80% of users report less back pain". What is the biggest problem with this evidence? → 80% is not a real percentage. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Ask: Was there a fair comparison group? How big and representative was the sample?
  2. A company asked 15 of its own employees whether its new chair reduced back pain. Twelve said yes. The company now advertises that "80% of users report less back pain". What is the biggest problem with this evidence? (Back pain is not a real problem. / Chairs can't be tested. / 80% is not a real percentage. / The sample is tiny and made up of people who may want the product to succeed.) → The sample is tiny and made up of people who may want the product to succeed.Prompt: Ask: Was there a fair comparison group? How big and representative was the sample?

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Is the proposed answer correct? To test a new memory app, researchers randomly assigned 200 students either to use the app or to use a version with the memory games removed. After a month, the app group recalled more words. Why is this design fairly strong evidence that the app helps? → It lasted exactly one month. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Ask: Was there a fair comparison group? How big and representative was the sample?
  2. A company asked 15 of its own employees whether its new chair reduced back pain. Twelve said yes. The company now advertises that "80% of users report less back pain". What is the biggest problem with this evidence? (80% is not a real percentage. / Back pain is not a real problem. / Chairs can't be tested. / The sample is tiny and made up of people who may want the product to succeed.) → The sample is tiny and made up of people who may want the product to succeed.Prompt: Ask: Was there a fair comparison group? How big and representative was the sample?

Watch out for

  • Answering from memory or opinion instead of evidence in the text.
  • Copying a long quote without explaining what it shows.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Spotting misleading statistics and graphs.
  • Use concrete materials: a short text or extract (one copy each).
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-11.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Does the study design support the claim?

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    A study tracked 50,000 adults for ten years and found that those who walked daily had fewer heart problems. The researchers adjusted for age, smoking and diet, and said walking 'may help protect' the heart. Why is the researchers' wording appropriate?

    • A. Even a large, careful observational study can suggest but not prove cause, so 'may help' is suitably cautious.
    • B. The study was too small to say anything.
    • C. Ten years is too short to study health.
    • D. They should have said walking definitely cures heart disease.

  2. Question 2

    Is the proposed answer correct? Researchers tested whether background music helps concentration. The same 60 students did puzzles in silence one week and with music the next. Scores were higher with music. What is a possible problem with this design? → 60 students is too many.

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

  3. Question 3

    A company asked 15 of its own employees whether its new chair reduced back pain. Twelve said yes. The company now advertises that "80% of users report less back pain". What is the biggest problem with this evidence?

    • A. 80% is not a real percentage.
    • B. The sample is tiny and made up of people who may want the product to succeed.
    • C. Back pain is not a real problem.
    • D. Chairs can't be tested.

  4. Question 4

    Is the proposed answer correct? A headline says: "Eating breakfast makes children smarter." The study behind it found that children who ate breakfast had higher test scores, but it did not control for family income or sleep. What is the main weakness in the headline's claim? → Test scores can't be measured.

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

  5. Question 5

    Is the proposed answer correct? A company asked 15 of its own employees whether its new chair reduced back pain. Twelve said yes. The company now advertises that "80% of users report less back pain". What is the biggest problem with this evidence? → 80% is not a real percentage.

    • A. yes, it is correct
    • B. no, it is not correct

  6. Question 6

    Researchers tested whether background music helps concentration. The same 60 students did puzzles in silence one week and with music the next. Scores were higher with music. What is a possible problem with this design?

    • A. Puzzles can't measure concentration at all.
    • B. Music is always distracting.
    • C. 60 students is too many.
    • D. Students may simply have improved with practice by the second week.

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Answer key: Does the study design support the claim?

  1. 1. A. Even a large, careful observational study can suggest but not prove cause, so 'may help' is suitably cautious.

  2. 2. B. no, it is not correct

  3. 3. B. The sample is tiny and made up of people who may want the product to succeed.

  4. 4. B. no, it is not correct

  5. 5. B. no, it is not correct

  6. 6. D. Students may simply have improved with practice by the second week.