What kind of evidence is acceptable, and how good does it need to be?
example
The discovery of evolution
What he claimed
Who?
Charles Darwin
English naturalist
Geologist
Biologist
Claimed that all life is related and has descended from a common ancestor.
When and where he claimed
1859, in a book called "On the Origin of Species"
Context
In a voyage he was puzzled by the geographical distribution of wildlife and fossils he collected. Therefore, he began a detailed investigation.
Evidence
investigating, collecting, observing
During the voyage which began in 1831, he found that there are two types of rhea had separate but overlapping territories by exploring the geology and collecting fossils. He gained social, political and anthropological insights into both native and colonial people at a time of revolution.
He saw stepped plains of shingle and seashells as raised beaches showing a series of elevations.
He theorized that as the land rose, oceanic islands sank, and coral reefs round them grew to form atolls when he saw seashells, and several fossil trees that had grown on a sand beach.
Found mockingbirds allied to those in Chile but differing from island to island.
An another scientist investigated how the atolls of the Cocos Islands had formed, and the survey supported Darwin's theory.
Evidence appropriate?
Appropriate
Investigated how the atolls were formed
Evidence sufficient?
Sufficient
Made many investigations and observations with different species
Other scientist also tested and came up with the same result
Made investigations in different places around the world
Investigated for more than 5 years
Found related species near each other
All investigations are related to how species evolved over time