Evaluating Evidence and Assumptions Flashcards
7 cards from real AWA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Evaluating Evidence and Assumptions flashcards as text
An argument states: 'Whenever crime rates fall, the police chief credits the new patrol strategy. Therefore, the patrol strategy reduces crime.' What logical flaw is present?
Answer: Post hoc ergo propter hoc
Post hoc reasoning assumes that because the patrol strategy preceded the crime drop, it caused it, ignoring other possible explanations.
In evaluating an AWA argument, what is an 'alternative explanation'?
Answer: A different cause that could account for the observed evidence
An alternative explanation is another plausible cause for the evidence that the arguer has not considered, weakening the original causal claim.
A company argues: 'We surveyed 200 of our most loyal customers and they love our product, so our product is widely popular.' What is the main weakness?
Answer: The sample is biased toward people already predisposed to like the product
Surveying only loyal customers creates selection bias, since this group is unlikely to represent the full range of customer opinion.
Which of the following best describes a 'false analogy' in an argument?
Answer: Comparing two situations that seem similar but differ in ways that affect the conclusion
A false analogy occurs when an argument assumes two situations are comparable, but key differences make the comparison invalid.
An argument claims: 'Because Riverton's recycling program increased participation by 40%, implementing the same program in Lakeside will produce similar results.' What must be true for this conclusion to hold?
Answer: Riverton and Lakeside must be similar in the factors that affect recycling participation
For the analogy to work, the two cities must be similar in demographics, infrastructure, and attitudes that drive recycling participation.
What is the significance of 'counterevidence' when evaluating an AWA argument?
Answer: It presents data or examples that contradict the argument's claims, exposing weaknesses
Counterevidence challenges the argument by showing facts or examples that the conclusion cannot adequately account for.
A school district argues: 'Test scores rose after we introduced tablets, proving tablets improve learning.' Which additional piece of information would most weaken this argument?
Answer: A new standardized test was introduced the same year as the tablets
If a new, potentially easier standardized test was introduced simultaneously, the score rise could be due to the test change rather than the tablets.