AWA Evidence Evaluation & Support 5

Question 1

An AWA argument draws on evidence from a study funded by the company whose product is being evaluated. What is the primary concern?

Accepted Answer

Funding source creates a potential conflict of interest that may introduce bias into study design or reporting

Answer

A financial stake in the outcome can—consciously or unconsciously—influence how a study is designed, conducted, or reported, warranting skepticism.

Question 2

Which technique best demonstrates how to use counterevidence responsibly in an AWA argument?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the counterevidence, explain its limitations, and show why it does not defeat the main claim

Answer

Engaging with counterevidence and explaining its limits shows intellectual honesty and strengthens the argument's credibility.

Question 3

An argument concludes that a medication is safe because no participants reported side effects during a two-week trial. What evidential limitation is most critical to flag?

Accepted Answer

The trial duration is too short to detect long-term or delayed side effects

Answer

Many significant side effects emerge only after extended use, so a two-week observation period cannot establish long-term safety.

Question 4

In an AWA critique, what is meant by 'the scope of the evidence does not match the scope of the conclusion'?

Accepted Answer

The evidence covers a narrow or specific context while the conclusion makes a broad or universal claim

Answer

A mismatch in scope occurs when limited evidence—local, short-term, or small-sample—is used to justify sweeping, general conclusions.

Question 5

An AWA argument supports a business recommendation by noting that 'competitors who tried this strategy failed.' How does this evidence actually undermine the argument?

Accepted Answer

Evidence that the strategy failed for others contradicts rather than supports the recommendation to adopt it

Answer

Citing competitor failures as support for adopting the same strategy is self-defeating—it is counterevidence, not supporting evidence.

(AWA) Analytical Writing Assessment Practice Test

(AWA) Analytical Writing Assessment Practice Test

AWA Evidence Evaluation & Support 5