Exam Cafe 1 - Credibility and Plausibility 1.

The article draws on a number of expert sources, circulation and the American Health Police, but their expertise is questionable as they are American, not British, so their knowledge is not directly applicable as there are other variables such as differences in diet. Janet Street-Porter also writes, but is only a columnist, not a health professional, so the information from her is and the Rambler's association is more biased and less expert and credible. However the rest of the piece is mainly objective rather than subjective and based on expert knowledge so is more credible. 2. It is largely irrelevant, because the passage discusses the necessary amount of exercise and the effectiveness of types of exercise, whereas the map shows participation in sport by area and the other data tell us preferred types of exercise and participation by age. Whereas the document suggests that we need to do more exercise than currently recommended, the map suggests that we don't even do the amount currently recommended. 3. David Haslam obviously has relevant expertise to be head of his organisation, The National Obesity Forum, and to maintain the forum's reputation he may have a vested interest in being accurate. On the other hand, he may have a vested interest in promoting his forum and its work, and may try to present its point of view rather than the truth, which may make him less credible. 4. To fully judge how credible a source he is, it would be necessary to find out about his personal expertise, the funding and targets of the company to judge whether they are biased or neutral and whether his opinion matches those of others in his field, or if it is merely personal opinion. 5. Janet Street-Porter has no relevant expertise, she is only a columnist, not a doctor or other relevant health expert, this makes her less credible. She is also attempting to promote country walking, which may be because she is a prominent member of The Rambler's Association, and so has a vested interest to promote the activity to reflect well upon her group and the activity as a whole which would again weaken her credibility. However as such a prominent member she may have knowledge of the benefits of walking so may be slightly more expert and credible. 6a. The UK Department of Health currently recommends 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise at least five times a week, which could include walking. 6b. Janet Street-Porter claims that country walking is the best way to prevent heart disease, and this does suit the criteria of moderate exercise described earlier in the passage as the recommended activity to prevent health problems. However she only compares it to one other sport, jogging, and in the situation that jogging is undertaken in a town. The reasons she gives for why walking is better exercise are also speculative rather than based on fact, which is the trend for all of her reasoning, which is generally more personal preference than reasoning based upon facts and research. So although walking may be better than jogging as it is less damaging to joints, there is no evidence to suggest that it is the best method of exercise to prevent heart disease, especially as vigorous exercise may also be necessary, as suggested by the American College of Sports Medicine. 7. Circulation is written by scientists and 'world leaders in public health and exercise advice' so has relevant expertise, and is also likely to be accurate to maintain their reputation, so the journal has expertise, a vested interest to tell the truth and the ability and funding necessary to test their theories, so are likely to be credible. It is also stated that the UK will change its guidelines to match those given in the journal, which gives corroboration of evidence, and suggests that the claims are reliable and valid. On the other hand, Janet Street-Porter is more biased, and writes subjectively rather than objectively, basing her opinions on little evidence or expertise, so is less credible.

Lewis O'Shaughnessy 12o