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English lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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? "Since the new road opened, house prices have risen 10%." Why can't we say the road caused it? → house prices can't rise (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Ask: how many people or cases is this based on, and who was asked?
  2. Is the proposed answer correct? An economist argues that a city's new metro line caused local shops to earn more. Which finding would most directly WEAKEN this argument? → The metro line cost billions to build. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not 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? (surveys are always biased / the sample is far too small to generalise / 9 out of 10 is a bad score / apps can't be surveyed) → the sample is far too small to generalisePrompt: Ask: how many people or cases is this based on, and who was asked?

Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 10 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 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? → The study shows a link, but other factors could explain it, so it doesn't prove breakfast causes higher scores. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Ask: Was there a fair comparison group? How big and representative was the sample?
  2. 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? (Puzzles can't measure concentration at all. / Music is always distracting. / Students may simply have improved with practice by the second week. / 60 students is too many.) → Students may simply have improved with practice by the second week.Prompt: Ask: Was there a fair comparison group? How big and representative was the sample?

You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 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? → Random assignment and a comparison group make other explanations less likely. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Ask: Was there a fair comparison group? How big and representative was the sample?
  2. An article claims a herbal tea cures colds because 'most people who drank it felt better within a week'. What is the main flaw? (Herbal tea is too hot to drink. / A week is too long to measure. / The article doesn't name the tea's colour. / Most colds get better within a week anyway, so there's no comparison to show the tea did anything.) → Most colds get better within a week anyway, so there's no comparison to show the tea did anything.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/ 8

  1. Question 1

    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?

    • A. Random assignment and a comparison group make other explanations less likely.
    • B. The students all liked apps.
    • C. It tested words instead of numbers.
    • D. It lasted exactly one month.

  2. Question 2

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

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

  3. Question 3

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

  4. Question 4

    Is the proposed answer correct? An article claims a herbal tea cures colds because 'most people who drank it felt better within a week'. What is the main flaw? → A week is too long to measure.

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

  5. Question 5

    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? → Students may simply have improved with practice by the second week.

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

  6. Question 6

    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?

    • A. Breakfast is unhealthy.
    • B. Test scores can't be measured.
    • C. The sample was made up of children.
    • D. The study shows a link, but other factors could explain it, so it doesn't prove breakfast causes higher scores.

  7. Question 7

    Is the proposed answer correct? 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? → Even a large, careful observational study can suggest but not prove cause, so 'may help' is suitably cautious.

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

  8. Question 8

    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? → Music is always distracting.

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

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Answer key: Does the study design support the claim?

  1. 1. A. Random assignment and a comparison group make other explanations less likely.

  2. 2. A. yes, it is correct

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

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

  5. 5. A. yes, it is correct

  6. 6. D. The study shows a link, but other factors could explain it, so it doesn't prove breakfast causes higher scores.

  7. 7. A. yes, it is correct

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