Question

Evidence
There are many different types of evidence. The types range from statistics and research studies to case examples and personal observation to intuition and personal experience. Consider situations when you must make an important decision (e.g. the decision to have an operation, the decision to get immunized against a communicable disease, the decision to send your child to a particular daycare center and/or school, the decision to invest significant amounts of money in a particular stock or bond, the decision to buy a particular product).
Think about and answer the following questions:
1. Do you require and use evidence to help you make your decision? Or do you reach your decision in a different way? Explain.
2. When you do use evidence, what type of evidence do you find to be acceptable to inform your decision?
3. What source(s) of evidence do you trust the most? Why?
4. Do you find it simple and straightforward to find the evidence you feel you need, or is it a complex, time consuming venture that is not always successful?

Answer 1

1)Decision making is a process where more thinking and analysis is being done. Evidence is an important factor while making a decision because it is anything that is presented in support of the assertion , it is the body of knowledge and information that facilitates better decision making. Intellectual evidence help in better decision making and choosing the best from the given alternatives.

2)Evidence is mainly used when there is an option. A number of option is being evaluated based on the information, facts, and figures and the best alternative is being chosen upon. Factual evidence is being used basically to find out whether something is wrong or right. Evidence is of two types direct evidence and circumstantial evidence. Depending upon the situation and decision to be taken evidence is being used.

3)There are many sources of evidence that are basically divided into two categories primary evidence and secondary evidence. Primary evidence is one where the person himself is involved in finding out information and supporting material for decision. Secondary evidence is those that are already present in the form of journals, government documents, readings, etc. Evidence that is being supported by any government organization is the most trustworthy as quality information can be retrieved that is authentic. This will help to support the decision with actual facts and will facilitate better decision making.

4)Simple, complex, straight forward are all characteristics of evidence since it can be direct or circumstantial that's why we can say that finding it depends upon the facts which we are looking for. If we are looking for simple things like daycare for a child straight forward evidence is enough but when we need some statistical data to support the decision then it is bit complex and time taking.