FAST Critical Thinking and Decision Making 3

Question 1

A researcher wants to determine whether a new training program improves employee performance. She compares scores before and after the program for one group. What is the main weakness of this design?

Accepted Answer

There is no control group to rule out other causes of improvement

Answer

Without a control group, improvements could be due to factors other than the training program, such as practice effects, seasonal changes, or concurrent interventions.

Question 2

Which of the following best distinguishes a strong argument from a weak one in critical analysis?

Accepted Answer

A strong argument's conclusion is well-supported by relevant, credible evidence

Answer

The strength of an argument depends on whether the conclusion is logically supported by relevant and credible evidence, not on style, consensus, or assertiveness.

Question 3

The 'availability heuristic' causes people to overestimate risks that are:

Accepted Answer

Easily recalled because they are vivid, recent, or heavily publicized

Answer

The availability heuristic leads people to judge the probability of events based on how easily examples come to mind, so vivid, recent, or publicized events seem more common than they are.

Question 4

A project has a 60% chance of earning $120,000 and a 40% chance of losing $30,000. What is the expected value of this project?

Accepted Answer

$60,000

Answer

Expected value = (0.60 × $120,000) + (0.40 × −$30,000) = $72,000 − $12,000 = $60,000.

Question 5

Which of the following is the best example of inductive reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Every customer surveyed preferred the new packaging, so the new packaging is probably more popular

Answer

Inductive reasoning draws probable but not certain conclusions from specific observations, moving from specific evidence to a general conclusion.

(FAST) Future Aptitude Selection Tool Practice Test

(FAST) Future Aptitude Selection Tool Practice Test

FAST Critical Thinking and Decision Making 3