HBRI Critical Evaluation of Arguments

Question 1

A manager argues: 'Our competitor released a new product last quarter and their profits rose 20%. We should release a new product to increase our profits.' What is the primary weakness in this argument?

Accepted Answer

The argument assumes correlation implies causation without ruling out other factors

Answer

The argument assumes the profit increase was caused by the new product, ignoring other variables like market conditions, pricing changes, or cost cuts.

Question 2

Which of the following best strengthens the argument that remote work increases employee productivity?

Accepted Answer

A controlled study showing output per hour increased 15% after switching to remote work

Answer

A controlled study with measurable output data directly supports the productivity claim with empirical evidence.

Question 3

A company reports: 'Satisfaction scores rose after we introduced free coffee.' A skeptic says this proves nothing about satisfaction drivers. The skeptic's position is best supported by which observation?

Accepted Answer

The company also reduced meeting frequency and redesigned workspaces at the same time

Answer

Concurrent changes (fewer meetings, redesigned workspaces) are confounding variables that make it impossible to attribute satisfaction gains to coffee alone.

Question 4

An executive concludes: 'Every successful company in our industry uses agile methodology, so adopting agile will make us successful.' This reasoning is flawed because:

Accepted Answer

Success may have preceded agile adoption, or agile may be a result rather than a cause of success

Answer

The argument confuses the direction of causation; successful companies may have adopted agile after becoming successful, or a third factor (e.g., strong talent) caused both.

Question 5

Which argument is logically valid?

Accepted Answer

All regulated industries require compliance reports; healthcare is a regulated industry; therefore healthcare requires compliance reports

Answer

This follows a valid deductive structure: universal premise → classification → valid conclusion, with no logical gaps.

HBRI - Hogan Business Reasoning Inventory Practice Test

HBRI - Hogan Business Reasoning Inventory Practice Test

HBRI Critical Evaluation of Arguments