AWA Evaluating Evidence and Assumptions 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: 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?
- False dilemma
- Post hoc ergo propter hoc (Correct answer)
- Ad hominem
- Circular reasoning
Correct 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.
Question 2: In evaluating an AWA argument, what is an 'alternative explanation'?
- A second conclusion drawn from the same premises
- A different cause that could account for the observed evidence (Correct answer)
- A counterargument from an opposing expert
- An additional assumption needed to support the conclusion
Correct 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.
Question 3: 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?
- The sample size of 200 is too large
- The sample is biased toward people already predisposed to like the product (Correct answer)
- Loyal customers provide the most objective feedback
- The survey questions may have been unclear
Correct 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.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes a 'false analogy' in an argument?
- Using two identical situations to draw a conclusion
- Comparing two situations that seem similar but differ in ways that affect the conclusion (Correct answer)
- Presenting evidence that directly contradicts the argument
- Using statistics from an unrelated field
Correct 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.
Question 5: 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?
- Lakeside must have fewer residents than Riverton
- Riverton and Lakeside must be similar in the factors that affect recycling participation (Correct answer)
- Both cities must have the same number of recycling centers
- The recycling program must have been free in Riverton
Correct 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.
Question 6: What is the significance of 'counterevidence' when evaluating an AWA argument?
- It confirms the argument's main conclusion
- It presents data or examples that contradict the argument's claims, exposing weaknesses (Correct answer)
- It provides additional support for the argument's assumptions
- It introduces a new conclusion unrelated to the argument
Correct 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.
Question 7: 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?
- Students reported enjoying using the tablets
- A new standardized test was introduced the same year as the tablets (Correct answer)
- The tablets were donated at no cost to the district
- Teachers received training on how to use the tablets
Correct 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.
AWA Evaluating Evidence and Assumptions 3
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?