Critical Thinking Flashcards

A student reads two articles about the same science experiment — one says it succeeded, the other says it failed. What is the BEST first step?

Answer: Check who conducted and funded each study

Identifying the source, author credentials, and funding helps evaluate the reliability and potential bias of each article.

Which question best helps a reader identify an author's BIAS?

Answer: What point of view does the author consistently favor?

Recognizing a pattern of favoring one viewpoint reveals potential bias in the author's reasoning.

A graph shows rising ice cream sales and rising drowning rates in summer. What logical error would it be to conclude that ice cream causes drowning?

Answer: Correlation vs. causation

Both trends are caused by hot weather (a third variable), so confusing correlation with causation is the error.

When evaluating an argument, what does it mean if a premise is TRUE but the conclusion does NOT logically follow?

Answer: The argument is invalid

If the conclusion does not logically follow from the premises, the argument is invalid regardless of whether the premises are true.

A classmate argues, 'Everyone is buying this phone, so it must be the best one.' Which fallacy is this?

Answer: Bandwagon (ad populum)

The bandwagon fallacy assumes something is good or true simply because many people believe or do it.

Which piece of evidence would BEST support the claim that regular exercise improves academic performance?

Answer: A peer-reviewed study tracking 500 students over two years

Peer-reviewed research with a large sample size provides the strongest empirical support for a claim.

A student is asked to distinguish FACT from OPINION. Which statement is a FACT?

Answer: The American Civil War ended in 1865

The end date of the Civil War is a verifiable historical fact, while the other statements reflect personal judgments.