CCTST Inductive Reasoning 2

Question 1

A researcher surveys 50 college students and finds that 80% prefer online classes. She concludes that most college students nationwide prefer online classes. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Inductive generalization

Answer

Inductive generalization draws a broad conclusion about a population based on observations from a sample.

Question 2

Which of the following would MOST strengthen an inductive argument?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the size of the sample observed

Answer

Larger, more representative samples produce stronger inductive support for generalizations.

Question 3

Every crow observed in the last 200 years has been black. Therefore, all crows are black. The primary weakness of this argument is:

Accepted Answer

Future or unobserved crows could be non-black

Answer

Inductive conclusions always risk being overturned by new evidence, such as a white crow being discovered.

Question 4

A doctor notices that three patients who ate at the same restaurant developed food poisoning. She suspects the restaurant is the source. This reasoning is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Abductive inference

Answer

Abductive inference selects the best explanation for a set of observed facts, often called 'inference to the best explanation.'

Question 5

Which scenario illustrates a biased sample that weakens an inductive argument?

Accepted Answer

Surveying only gym members to conclude that most Americans exercise daily

Answer

Surveying gym members introduces selection bias because they are not representative of the general American population.

(CCTST) California Critical Thinking Skills Test Practice Test

(CCTST) California Critical Thinking Skills Test Practice Test

CCTST Inductive Reasoning 2