ABLE Case Analysis 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A case analysis passage states: 'The new policy was implemented in January. By March, employee morale had improved significantly.' Which of the following is the BEST interpretation of this information?
- The policy definitely caused the morale improvement
- The policy may have contributed to improved morale, but other factors cannot be ruled out (Correct answer)
- Employee morale always improves in spring
- The policy had no effect on morale
Correct answer: The policy may have contributed to improved morale, but other factors cannot be ruled out
A two-month sequence suggests a possible relationship, but without controlling for other variables, causation cannot be confirmed.
Question 2: In a legal case analysis, an attorney's brief contains the following: 'My client could not have committed the offense because she is an honest person.' This argument is an example of:
- Appeal to character instead of evidence (Correct answer)
- A valid alibi defense
- Circumstantial reasoning
- An eyewitness account
Correct answer: Appeal to character instead of evidence
The argument relies on character rather than factual evidence, which is logically insufficient to refute an accusation.
Question 3: A case presents two competing solutions to declining student test scores: Solution X adds tutoring hours; Solution Y redesigns the curriculum. A case analyst recommends Solution X because it 'worked in one district.' What is the weakness of this recommendation?
- Tutoring is always less effective than curriculum changes
- The recommendation is based on a single, possibly non-representative example (Correct answer)
- Solution Y has never been tested
- Test scores are an unreliable measure
Correct answer: The recommendation is based on a single, possibly non-representative example
Basing a recommendation on one district's experience without broader evidence makes the conclusion insufficiently supported.
Question 4: A policy case analysis states that a city reduced traffic accidents by 25% after installing speed cameras. A councilmember argues the reduction occurred because of a simultaneous public awareness campaign. How should a careful analyst respond?
- Dismiss the councilmember's claim without investigation
- Acknowledge both factors and recommend a study to isolate each variable's effect (Correct answer)
- Accept the councilmember's claim as more credible
- Conclude the cameras had no effect
Correct answer: Acknowledge both factors and recommend a study to isolate each variable's effect
A rigorous analyst acknowledges competing explanations and seeks data to determine each factor's contribution.
Question 5: When analyzing a business case, which of the following BEST describes a 'stakeholder analysis'?
- Calculating the financial return on investment
- Identifying all parties affected by a decision and understanding their interests (Correct answer)
- Reviewing the legal compliance of a proposal
- Auditing a company's financial statements
Correct answer: Identifying all parties affected by a decision and understanding their interests
Stakeholder analysis identifies who is affected by a decision and what their interests, concerns, and levels of influence are.
Question 6: A case analysis presents the following data: Store A's sales rose 15% after a renovation; Store B's sales rose 12% with no renovation. What can be most accurately concluded?
- Renovation always increases sales by at least 12%
- The renovation may have contributed a small additional benefit, but the difference is modest (Correct answer)
- Store B's result proves renovation is unnecessary
- Store A's renovation caused its sales to rise
Correct answer: The renovation may have contributed a small additional benefit, but the difference is modest
The small difference (3 percentage points) suggests renovation may offer a marginal benefit, but the baseline growth in Store B limits the conclusion.
Question 7: An ABLE case analysis excerpt reads: 'The director suggested the policy, so it must be the correct course of action.' This reflects which reasoning error?
- Straw man argument
- Appeal to authority (Correct answer)
- Red herring
- False analogy
Correct answer: Appeal to authority
Accepting a claim solely because of the proposer's position, rather than evaluating the merits, is an appeal to authority.
ABLE Case Analysis 3
A case analysis passage states: 'The new policy was implemented in January.
By March, employee morale had improved significantly.' Which of the following is the BEST interpretation of this information?