Causal Theory and Justification

1a. (Probe, when subject completes initial response) Anything else?

2. (If multiple causes mentioned) Which of these would you say is the major cause of prisoners' returning to crime?

3. How do you know that this is the cause?

3a. (Probe, if necessary) Just to be sure I understand, can you explain exactly how this shows that this is the cause?

4. If you were trying to convince someone else that your view [that this is the cause] is right, what evidence [verbal emphasis] would you give to try to convince the person?

4a. (Probe, if necessary) Can you be very specific, and tell me some particular facts you could mention to try convince the person?

5. Is there anything further you could say to help show that what you've said is correct?

6. Is there anything someone could say or do to prove that this is what causes prisoners to return to crime?

7. Can you remember when you began to hold this view?

7a. (If no) Have you believed it for as long as you can remember?

7b. (If yes) Can you remember what it was that led you to believe that this is the cause?

Contradictory Positions

1. Suppose now that someone disagreed with your view that this is the cause. What might they say to show that you were wrong?

2. What evidence might this person give to try to show that you were wrong?

2a. (Probe, if necessary) Just to be sure I understand, can you explain exactly how this would show that you were wrong?

3. (If not already indicated) Is there any fact or evidence which, if it were true, would show your view to be wrong?

4. Could someone prove that you were wrong?

5. (Omit if alternative theory already generated) A person like we've been talking about whose view is very different from yours – what might they say is the major cause?

6. (Include if no alternative theory generated) Suppose that someone disagreed with you and said that _________ was the cause. What could you say to show that this other person was wrong?

6a. (Probe, if necessary) Just to be sure I understand, can you explain exactly how this would show the person was wrong?

7. Would you be able to prove this person wrong?

8. (If not already indicated) What could you say to show that your own view is the correct one?

Instrumental Reasoning

2. Why would this lessen it?

Epistemological Reasoning

2. Do experts know for sure what causes prisoners to return to crime?

3. (If no) Would it be possible for experts to find out for sure if they studied this problem long and carefully enough?

4. How sure are you of your view, compared to an expert?

5. Is more than one point of view possible regarding the question of what causes prisoners to return to crime?

6. (If yes) Could more than one point of view be right?

7. How much would you say you know about this topic, compared to the average person?

8. (Relative to list of topics provided) How important is this topic to society as a whole?

9. (Relative to list of topics provided) How important is this topic to you personally?