An evidence-based economic answer makes claims that rest on something visible: a figure, a stated assumption or an economic idea with its condition. This cluster teaches four ways to make that support clear.
This cluster is part of the economic reasoning skills in SPM Economics. It pairs well with writing cause, mechanism and effect explanations.
What are the four skills?
The order runs from the smallest habit to the most demanding.
- Separating a model assumption from an observed fact: what is assumed so a model works, and what was seen.
- Developing a short causal chain with a stated limiting condition: three or four links and the condition that could break them.
- Using the supplied data to qualify a broad claim: narrowing a claim to what the data supports.
- Comparing two explanations without inventing motives or declaring a policy winner: setting two accounts side by side fairly.
Test the set with the cluster practice questions.
Why does a broad claim need checking against the data?
A fictional town has 2 000 shoppers. A poll of 40 of them finds 30 prefer buying online. A student writes: “Everyone in the town prefers online shopping.”
The data says 30 of the 40 polled, which is 75% of the sample.
The claim is about all 2 000, a group the poll did not reach. A supported version reads: “Three quarters of the 40 shoppers polled prefer online shopping. The poll is too small to show the preference of the whole town.”
The second version is shorter on ambition and longer on accuracy. That trade is what this cluster practises.
Who should start where?
If your answers state things as certain with no source, start with the assumption-and-fact lesson. If you explain a cause but stop after one step, start with the causal chain. If your conclusion goes beyond the table, start with the data lesson.
If you need help stating a cause and effect link first, read writing cause, mechanism and effect explanations.
When does one-to-one help?
A teacher who reads your sentence and asks “what shows that?” finds the unsupported step at once, which a page cannot do. See online one-to-one Economics tuition if you want that.