Critical Reasoning Flashcards

A hospital reduced readmission rates by 18% after implementing a new discharge protocol. Which of the following, if true, most supports that the protocol caused the reduction?

Answer: Readmission rates at control hospitals with the same patient demographics remained unchanged.

A control group showing no change while the experimental group improved provides strong evidence of causation.

Argument: Since experienced employees make fewer errors, the company should only hire candidates with 5+ years of experience. Which of the following most weakens this argument?

Answer: All three above weaken the argument.

All three points challenge the argument: the correlation may not hold universally, cost may outweigh benefit, and experience is not the only relevant factor.

A city claims that adding bike lanes reduced car traffic by 15%. A critic argues this is misleading. Which data point would best support the critic's position?

Answer: A highway bypass was completed in the same year.

An alternative explanation (the bypass) undermines the city's causal claim that bike lanes drove the traffic reduction.

Premises: All managers completed leadership training. Maria did not complete leadership training. What can be concluded about Maria?

Answer: Maria is not a manager.

By contrapositive: if not completed training → not a manager; therefore Maria is not a manager.

A company argues its new product will capture 20% market share because it has superior features. The argument assumes which of the following?

Answer: Superior features are the primary driver of customer purchasing decisions.

The core assumption linking superior features to market share is that customers choose products primarily based on features.

An executive states: 'Employees who exercise regularly are 25% more productive. Therefore, we should mandate exercise programs.' Which of the following is the best objection?

Answer: Mandatory programs may reduce morale and autonomy, offsetting productivity gains.

Even if exercise correlates with productivity, mandating it may create resentment that diminishes or reverses the benefit.