What students learn in AC9S9I07
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of Construct arguments based on analysis of a variety of evidence.... The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.
- Start with the main idea: construct arguments based on analysis of a variety of evidence to support conclusions or evaluate claims, and consider any ethical issues and cultural protocols associated with accessing, using or citing secondary data or information.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- examining secondary data to determine the credibility of the source and the validity and reproducibility of the data identifying multiple sources of evidence that are consistent with a claim such as the effectiveness of a vaccine
- Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.
Curriculum coverage and elaborations
The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.
- Content description: construct arguments based on analysis of a variety of evidence to support conclusions or evaluate claims, and consider any ethical issues and cultural protocols associated with accessing, using or citing secondary data or information
- E1: examining secondary data to determine the credibility of the source and the validity and reproducibility of the data
- E2: identifying multiple sources of evidence that are consistent with a claim such as the effectiveness of a vaccine
- E3: interrogating the evidence and reasoning used to justify claims regarding the age of ancient artefacts
- E4: researching the methods used by scientists in studies reported in the media to evaluate the validity of the headlines
- E5: examining secondary data to ensure it does not contain personal information which could potentially harm individuals, is correctly cited and is relevant to the investigation question or claim
- E6: acknowledging and identifying the relationship between First Peoples’ knowledges and contemporary science and the co-contributions in arriving at shared understandings when working ‘both ways’
- E7: acknowledging and constructing an argument for the contributions to medicine of First Nations Australians’ knowledges of physiological pathways and contemporary medicinal delivery systems (teaching context)
How to use this unit
Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.
Teacher resource
AC9S9I07 teacher slide
Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.
Open teacher slide (PDF)Common mistakes to watch for
- Describing what is seen without connecting it to a question, pattern or prediction.
- Using everyday words only and missing simple scientific vocabulary.
- Changing more than one thing in an investigation, which makes the comparison unfair.
International curriculum mapping
This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.
| Region | Curriculum | Closest mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9S9I07 — construct arguments based on analysis of a variety of evidence to support conclusions or evaluate claims, and consider any ethical issues and cultural protocols associated with accessing, using or citing secondary data or information |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 9 Science: closest match in Evaluating. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 5 Science: closest content focus for Construct arguments based on analysis of a variety of evidence... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 9 NGSS science closest topic match for Construct arguments based on analysis of a variety of evidence.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 3 / Year 9: closest programme-of-study match for Construct arguments based on analysis of a variety of evidence.... |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Grade 9 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Curriculum | Level 5 Science: closest achievement-objective topic for Construct arguments based on analysis of a variety of evidence.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 9 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Construct arguments based on analysis of a variety of evidence.... |