Forschung, Quellen und Daten
Chapter Overview and Objectives
Chapter 14 continues Unit III by turning from the courtyard policy discussion to the evidence behind it. After the neighborhood association meeting, Tobias is asked to check what the district's claims about traffic, cost, and environmental impact actually rest on, since several numbers were used in the debate without clear sourcing. Learners develop language for evaluating sources and data, describing methods and their limitations, and writing a short research summary that states findings honestly, including what remains uncertain or unverified.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Evaluate a source by identifying who produced it, what evidence it offers, and how reliable it appears.
- Describe a study's or survey's method in your own words.
- Name limitations of a data set or method without overclaiming or dismissing it entirely.
- Use source-attribution and citation language to indicate where a claim comes from.
- Comment on data (tables, figures, percentages) using appropriate nominalized and hedged language.
- Write a short, source-based research summary that states findings and limitations transparently.
Opening Scenario
After the courtyard meeting, one resident asks Tobias where the district's traffic and cost figures actually came from, since the numbers were repeated at the meeting without being explained. The neighborhood association asks Tobias to write a short, plain-language research summary that traces each claim back to its source, describes how the underlying data was collected, and states clearly which figures are well supported and which are not. He begins by collecting the district's planning notice, a short university traffic study cited at the meeting, and a resident survey conducted by the association itself.
- Study the vocabulary for discussing sources, methods, data, and limitations.
- Study how source-attribution language, method description, data commentary, and hedging structures combine in the grammar review and model exchange below.
- Complete the Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing practice tasks in order.
- Finish with the Practical Performance Task, which asks you to produce a source-based research summary with limitations.
Core Vocabulary
This chapter introduces vocabulary for describing sources, research methods, data, and the limitations of evidence.
Quelle und Herkunft
- die Quelle, die Quellen — source
- die Studie, die Studien — study
- die Umfrage, die Umfragen — survey
- zitieren — to cite
Methode
- die Methode, die Methoden — method
- die Stichprobe, die Stichproben — sample (in research)
- erheben (Daten erheben) — to collect (data)
- auswerten — to analyze, evaluate (data)
Daten und Befund
- der Befund, die Befunde — finding
- der Anteil, die Anteile (an + Dativ) — proportion, share (of)
- der Durchschnitt, die Durchschnitte — average
- belegen — to document, substantiate
Grenzen und Vorbehalt
- die Einschränkung, die Einschränkungen — limitation
- die Aussagekraft (Singular) — explanatory power, validity
- repräsentativ — representative
- fehlerhaft — flawed, faulty
All active nouns appear with article and plural; verbs are shown with their case or preposition frame where one applies.
Grammar and Sentence Patterns: Source Attribution, Method Description, Data Commentary, and Hedging
Writing responsibly about research draws on four tools: language that clearly attributes a claim to its source, nominalized phrasing that describes how a study's data was collected, data commentary for describing figures and proportions, and hedging structures that mark what is well supported and what is not.
Attribute claims explicitly rather than presenting them as the writer's own assertion. Common frames include laut plus dative (Laut der Studie sind die Kosten gestiegen. — "According to the study, the costs have risen."), zufolge placed after its noun (Der Umfrage zufolge unterstützt die Mehrheit den Kompromiss. — "According to the survey, the majority supports the compromise."), and laut Angaben von plus a named source (Laut Angaben der Universität wurden 200 Personen befragt. — "According to information from the university, 200 people were surveyed."). Reported-speech structures with Konjunktiv I, introduced in Chapter 6, remain available for summarizing a source's claims at a greater distance: Die Autoren geben an, die Stichprobe sei repräsentativ. ("The authors state that the sample is representative.")
Describing method often uses nominalized verbs rather than full clauses, a pattern practiced with reports and instructions since Chapter 8: die Erhebung der Daten ("the collection of the data"), die Auswertung der Ergebnisse ("the analysis of the results"), die Auswahl der Stichprobe ("the selection of the sample"). A fuller sentence might read: Die Erhebung der Daten erfolgte über einen Online-Fragebogen, an dem 120 Anwohner teilnahmen. ("The data collection took place via an online questionnaire, in which 120 residents participated.") Nominal style compresses information efficiently but should not be used to hide who did what; where the actor matters, name it.
Data commentary typically names the figure, states what it shows, and situates it: Knapp die Hälfte der Befragten gab an, dass ... ("Just under half of respondents indicated that ..."), Der Anteil der Befürworter liegt bei etwa 60 Prozent. ("The proportion of supporters stands at about 60 percent."), Im Vergleich zur Umfrage aus dem Vorjahr ist die Zustimmung leicht gestiegen. ("Compared to last year's survey, approval has risen slightly."). Avoid treating a single figure as more precise or meaningful than the underlying method supports.
Chapter 13 introduced modal hedges such as dürfte, könnte, and adverbs like vermutlich and nicht eindeutig for predictions; the same tools apply to findings whose evidence is thin: Die Stichprobe dürfte zu klein sein, um allgemeine Schlüsse zuzulassen. ("The sample is likely too small to allow general conclusions.") Explicit limitation phrases are equally important: Die Studie deckt nur einen Stadtteil ab. ("The study covers only one district."), Die Ergebnisse lassen sich nicht ohne Weiteres verallgemeinern. ("The results cannot simply be generalized.")
- Laut der Universitätsstudie ist der Verkehr im Viertel in den letzten fünf Jahren um etwa 15 Prozent gestiegen, allerdings deckt die Erhebung nur zwei Wochen im Frühjahr ab. According to the university study, traffic in the neighborhood has risen by about 15 percent over the last five years, though the data collection covers only two weeks in spring. laut + dative (attribution) + data commentary + limitation clause
- Der Umfrage der Nachbarschaftsinitiative zufolge befürwortet eine knappe Mehrheit den Kompromissvorschlag, doch die Stichprobe dürfte nicht repräsentativ für das gesamte Viertel sein. According to the neighborhood initiative's survey, a narrow majority supports the compromise proposal, but the sample is likely not representative of the whole neighborhood. zufolge (attribution) + data commentary + dürfte (hedge)
- Die Auswertung der Kostenschätzung erfolgte durch das Bezirksamt selbst, sodass eine unabhängige Überprüfung bisher fehlt. The analysis of the cost estimate was carried out by the district office itself, so an independent review is so far lacking. nominalized method (die Auswertung) + sodass (result) + limitation
Error: *Der Verkehr ist um 15 Prozent gestiegen. stated with no indication of where the figure comes from or how it was measured.
Correction: Laut der Universitätsstudie ist der Verkehr um etwa 15 Prozent gestiegen, wobei die Erhebung nur zwei Wochen umfasst. — attribute the figure and name a relevant limitation.
Model Exchange
Setting: the neighborhood association's small office, a few days after the courtyard meeting. Context: Tobias reviews the cited traffic study with Frau Aksoy, who wants to know whether the numbers used at the meeting can be trusted.
Guided Practice
Complete each task using the pattern indicated in parentheses.
- Attribute the claim: Der Verkehr ist gestiegen. (laut + die Universitätsstudie) → ______________________
- Rewrite using a nominalized method phrase: Man hat die Daten über einen Fragebogen erhoben. (die Erhebung der Daten ...) → ______________________
- Comment on this figure using data-commentary language: 60 % der Befragten / den Kompromiss unterstützen → ______________________
- Hedge the following claim about a small sample: Die Stichprobe ist repräsentativ. (dürfte / nicht ohne Weiteres) → ______________________
Model answers appear in the Answer Key at the end of the chapter.
Listening Practice
Ask a partner, instructor, or text-to-speech tool to read the following short passage aloud. Listen once for the overall findings, then again for how the source and its limitations are described.
Kurzvorstellung — Listening Script
Laut der Universitätsstudie, die beim Nachbarschaftstreffen zitiert wurde, ist der Verkehr im Viertel in den letzten fünf Jahren um etwa 15 Prozent gestiegen. Die Erhebung der Daten erfolgte jedoch nur über zwei Wochen im Frühjahr, sodass die Zahl den längerfristigen Trend nur grob abbilden dürfte. Der Umfrage der Nachbarschaftsinitiative zufolge unterstützt eine knappe Mehrheit der 120 befragten Anwohner den vorgeschlagenen Kompromiss, doch die Stichprobe dürfte nicht repräsentativ für das gesamte Viertel sein, da vor allem ältere Anwohner teilgenommen haben. Beide Quellen liefern nützliche Hinweise, aber keine von ihnen erlaubt eine endgültige, allgemeingültige Aussage.
Verständnisfragen
1. Woher stammt die Zahl zum gestiegenen Verkehr, und was schränkt ihre Aussagekraft ein?
2. Wie viele Anwohner haben an der Umfrage der Nachbarschaftsinitiative teilgenommen, und warum dürfte die Stichprobe nicht repräsentativ sein?
3. Identify the sentence that explicitly states that neither source permits a final, general conclusion, and explain why the speaker includes it.
Speaking Practice
Aufgabe: Eine Quelle gemeinsam prüfen
Working with a partner or recording solo, discuss one of the two sources from this chapter (the university traffic study or the neighborhood survey) and answer follow-up questions.
Rolle: Tobias
- Summarize what the source claims and cite it clearly.
- Describe the method in your own words, using a nominalized phrase.
- Name at least one limitation of the source.
Rolle: Skeptische Anwohnerin / skeptischer Anwohner
- Ask where a specific figure comes from.
- Ask whether the sample or method seems adequate.
- Ask what conclusion can, and cannot, reasonably be drawn.
Bewertungshinweise — Speaking Criteria
- At least one claim is explicitly attributed to its source using laut or zufolge.
- The method is described using at least one nominalized phrase.
- At least one limitation of the source is named clearly.
- No claim is presented as more certain than the source actually supports.
- Comprehensible, natural pronunciation, pacing, and appropriate register throughout.
Solo alternative: Record both roles yourself, pausing between turns, or record only your own source evaluation as a short monologue.
Reading Practice
Woher stammen die Zahlen zum Hof-Vorschlag?
Beim letzten Treffen wurden mehrere Zahlen genannt, ohne dass ihre Herkunft immer klar war. Die Angabe zum gestiegenen Verkehr stammt aus einer Universitätsstudie, deren Datenerhebung sich allerdings auf zwei Wochen im Frühjahr beschränkte; die Autoren selbst weisen darauf hin, dass sich daraus kein gesicherter Jahrestrend ableiten lässt. Die Kostenschätzung für den Umbau wurde vom Bezirksamt intern erstellt, und eine unabhängige Prüfung dieser Zahl liegt der Initiative bislang nicht vor. Die eigene Umfrage der Initiative, an der 120 Anwohner teilnahmen, zeigt eine knappe Mehrheit für den Kompromissvorschlag, doch die Teilnehmenden waren überwiegend älter als 50 Jahre, sodass sich das Ergebnis nicht ohne Weiteres auf das gesamte Viertel übertragen lässt. Die Initiative empfiehlt, weitere Daten zu erheben, bevor eine endgültige Entscheidung getroffen wird.
Verständnisfragen
1. Woher stammt die Kostenschätzung für den Umbau, und was fehlt laut dem Text noch?
2. Identify the specific limitation the text gives for the neighborhood association's own survey, and explain why this limitation matters for interpreting the result.
3. Was empfiehlt die Initiative, bevor eine endgültige Entscheidung getroffen wird?
Writing Workshop
Write a short, source-based research summary (the courtyard-related sources above, or a short research topic of your own choosing) for the neighborhood association's records.
Kontext für die Schreibaufgabe
Schreiben Sie einen kurzen Kurzbericht (ca. 120–170 Wörter). Nennen Sie mindestens zwei Quellen und attribuieren Sie jede Aussage klar (laut, zufolge), beschreiben Sie die Methode mindestens einer Quelle mit einer nominalisierten Formulierung, kommentieren Sie mindestens eine Zahl oder einen Anteil, und benennen Sie mindestens eine Einschränkung pro Quelle, statt die Ergebnisse unkritisch zu übernehmen.
- Open by briefly naming the question the summary addresses.
- Present the first source's finding, attributed clearly.
- Describe that source's method using a nominalized phrase, and name a limitation.
- Present the second source's finding and its limitation in the same way.
- Close with a brief, honest statement of what can and cannot be concluded.
- Review your text against the checklist below.
Revision checklist:
- Is the question the summary addresses stated clearly in the opening?
- Is each claim explicitly attributed to a named source?
- Is at least one method described using nominalized language?
- Is at least one limitation named for each source?
- Does the closing avoid overclaiming beyond what the sources support?
Culture and Communication
In German-speaking public and civic contexts, as elsewhere, credible communication about research and data depends on naming where a claim comes from and being honest about what the underlying method can and cannot support. A short community report that hides a small sample size or an unverified estimate behind confident language is less trustworthy than one that states its limitations plainly. This chapter's courtyard sources are constructed for language practice; treat any real research finding, survey result, or cost estimate as one to verify with the original source rather than a textbook example.
Naming a limitation is not the same as dismissing a source. A small or narrow study can still offer a useful, provisional indication; the responsible move is to state what it shows, how it was gathered, and how far its conclusions can reasonably extend, rather than either treating it as definitive or discarding it entirely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Error: *Der Verkehr ist um 15 Prozent gestiegen. presented with no indication of where the number comes from.
Correction: Laut der Universitätsstudie ist der Verkehr um etwa 15 Prozent gestiegen.
Error: *Die Umfrage zeigt, was alle Anwohner denken. generalizing a 120-person sample to the entire neighborhood without qualification.
Correction: Die Umfrage zeigt eine Tendenz unter den 120 Befragten, dürfte aber nicht das gesamte Viertel repräsentieren.
Error: *Zufolge der Studie ist der Verkehr gestiegen. placing zufolge before its noun.
Correction: Der Studie zufolge ist der Verkehr gestiegen. — zufolge follows its noun, while laut precedes it: Laut der Studie ist der Verkehr gestiegen.
Chapter Summary
Chapter 14 continued Unit III by turning Tobias's attention from the courtyard debate itself to the evidence cited within it. Learners practiced attributing claims clearly with laut and zufolge, describing methods with nominalized phrases such as die Erhebung der Daten, commenting on figures and proportions, and hedging findings whose evidence is limited. Tobias's work reviewing the cited traffic study and the association's own survey connected listening, speaking, reading, and writing around one realistic research-evaluation situation.
Chapter Review
Before moving to Chapter 15, confirm that you can:
Textanalyse
- identify the source of a claim in a short report or discussion;
- recognize how a study's or survey's method is described; and
- identify limitations named for a source or data set.
Grammatik und Produktion
- attribute claims using laut and zufolge with correct word order;
- describe methods using nominalized phrases such as die Erhebung der Daten; and
- comment on data and hedge uncertain or limited findings appropriately.
Practical Performance Task
Kapitel 14 — Praktische Aufgabe
Die Zahlen hinter dem Vorschlag prüfen — Producing a Source-Based Research Summary
Complete a short sequence of tasks that integrates reading, listening, speaking, and writing around evaluating the sources behind the courtyard proposal, or a short research topic of your own choosing.
1. Bericht lesen
Complete the Reading Practice comprehension questions on the association's short report.
2. Zusammenfassung hören
Complete the Listening Practice comprehension questions.
3. Quelle prüfen
Complete the Speaking Practice discussion and role-play with a partner or solo recording.
4. Bericht schreiben
Complete the Writing Workshop research summary and revise it using the checklist above.
| Criterion | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Source attribution | Each claim is clearly attributed to a named source using laut or zufolge |
| Method description | At least one method is described using nominalized language |
| Data commentary | At least one figure or proportion is described accurately and in context |
| Limitation and hedging | Limitations are named and uncertain claims are hedged rather than overstated |
Answer Key
Guided Practice
- Laut der Universitätsstudie ist der Verkehr gestiegen.
- Die Erhebung der Daten erfolgte über einen Fragebogen.
- Etwa 60 Prozent der Befragten unterstützen den Kompromiss.
- Die Stichprobe dürfte nicht ohne Weiteres repräsentativ sein.
Listening Practice — Comprehension Questions
- Die Zahl stammt aus einer Universitätsstudie; ihre Aussagekraft ist eingeschränkt, weil die Datenerhebung nur zwei Wochen im Frühjahr umfasst.
- 120 Anwohner haben teilgenommen; die Stichprobe dürfte nicht repräsentativ sein, weil vor allem ältere Anwohner teilgenommen haben.
- The sentence Beide Quellen liefern nützliche Hinweise, aber keine von ihnen erlaubt eine endgültige, allgemeingültige Aussage makes this explicit; it prevents the listener from treating either source as conclusive.
Reading Practice — Comprehension Questions
- Sie wurde vom Bezirksamt intern erstellt; eine unabhängige Prüfung fehlt bisher.
- The participants were mostly over 50 years old, so the result cannot simply be applied to the whole neighborhood; this matters because younger residents' views may differ and are underrepresented.
- Die Initiative empfiehlt, weitere Daten zu erheben, bevor eine endgültige Entscheidung getroffen wird.
Speaking and Writing Tasks
Open production. Evaluate using the performance task criteria table above, with particular attention to source attribution, method description, and hedging.
Practical Performance Task
Open production. Evaluate holistically using the assessment criteria table: source attribution, method description, data commentary, and limitation/hedging.
Independent Study Tools
Für Selbstlerner
- Find a short news item that cites a study or survey, and identify how it attributes the claim.
- Practice writing three sentences that describe a method using nominalized phrases such as die Erhebung or die Auswertung.
- Read your research summary aloud, checking that every figure is attributed and every limitation is named.
Selbstüberprüfung
- Can I attribute a claim clearly using laut or zufolge?
- Can I describe a method using nominalized language?
- Does my summary name limitations honestly instead of overclaiming?
Looking Ahead
Was Sie nach Kapitel 14 können — What you can do after Chapter 14
You can now evaluate a source, describe a study's or survey's method in your own words, comment on data and proportions, and name limitations honestly while hedging uncertain findings appropriately. These skills prepare you for Chapter 15, the Unit III assessment, which integrates cultural, historical, policy, and research communication.