AWA Evaluating Evidence and Assumptions 2

Question 1

An argument states: 'Our competitor's sales dropped after they raised prices, so we should not raise our prices.' What assumption does this argument make?

Accepted Answer

Price is the only factor that caused the competitor's sales drop

Answer

The competitor's product is identical to ours

Answer

Our costs are lower than the competitor's

Answer

Customers prefer our brand over the competitor's

Question 2

Which type of evidence most effectively undermines a causal claim in an AWA argument?

Accepted Answer

Evidence showing the effect occurred without the proposed cause

Answer

Anecdotal evidence supporting the claim

Answer

Statistical correlation data

Answer

Expert opinion endorsing the claim

Question 3

A study shows that cities with more libraries have higher literacy rates. An argument concludes that building libraries causes literacy to rise. What is the primary flaw?

Accepted Answer

Correlation is mistaken for causation

Answer

The sample size is too small

Answer

Libraries are too expensive to build

Answer

The study did not include rural areas

Question 4

An AWA argument claims: 'Employee satisfaction surveys at Company X showed 80% satisfaction, so Company X is a great place to work.' Which assumption weakens this most?

Accepted Answer

Dissatisfied employees may have left before the survey was given

Answer

The surveys were conducted online

Answer

Satisfaction surveys are generally reliable

Answer

Company X has 500 employees

Question 5

What does 'cherry-picking evidence' mean in the context of an AWA argument evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Selecting only evidence that supports the conclusion while ignoring contradictory data

Answer

Using only the most recent data available

Answer

Choosing evidence from credible academic sources

Answer

Presenting multiple types of evidence for one claim

Question 6

An argument concludes: 'Since our new training program launched, productivity rose 15%. The training caused this improvement.' What evidence would most strengthen this conclusion?

Accepted Answer

A control group of similar employees who did not receive training showed no productivity gains

Answer

Testimonials from employees who liked the training

Answer

The training program cost less than expected

Answer

Productivity also rose at competitor companies during the same period

Question 7

Which of the following represents an unwarranted assumption about a population based on a sample?

Accepted Answer

A poll of 50 customers at one store is used to represent all customers nationwide

Answer

A nationwide random survey of 10,000 people predicts election outcomes

Answer

A clinical trial of 2,000 patients determines drug efficacy

Answer

A census counts every household in a defined region