Adduce

New word of the day- "Adduce: to cite as an example or means as proof in an argument." (The American Heritage Dictionary).

This word makes me think of writing a paper in which you back up your ideas with evidence. To adduce various sources. It can be complicated to step back and analyze the validity of sources. When scientific variables are seemingly equal and two sources give conflicting information, what do you choose? I guess whatever makes sense in the context. Sometimes different methods will have different effects depending on the time of year or geographical region.

I think that it's important to include as many different sources as possible when you are trying to adduce ideas about a topic. It's easy to forget to do that in an age where information instantaneously pops up on your page, with so many easy answers available. I was recently reading an article about a supposed meritocracy in another nation where women can rise to the top quickly and easily when their super powers/talents are recognized. The exemplar figure for this land where females could seemingly be recognized very quickly for their full potential was a mid-twenties women, one who is supposed to be a role model for fashion and contemporary culture. Reading another article about this woman revealed that she had not-too-distant ancestral connections to a top political figure and a notable actor. She herself had quoted that it is easy to rise to the top in her country if 'people recognize your talents.' My illusion of a pure meritocracy in that nation diminished after learning that the presumed exemplar of rising through one's own attributes had quite the connected background.

Qualitative comments made by a couple of people certainly cannot serve as examples of good journalistic research. I understand that such comments are inserted to provide the human element that makes the readers/viewers be able to connect to the situation on a personal level. But often these random comments serve as metonymy - a part representing the whole. The situation becomes skewed for many members of the public who are fine with accepting the quick shortcut to current events and culture.