Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Evaluating Causal Relationships 2

Question 1

A newspaper headline reads: 'Coffee Drinkers Live Longer.' The supporting study controlled for smoking and exercise. What is still needed to establish causation?

Accepted Answer

A randomized controlled trial to rule out remaining confounders.

Answer

Observational studies, even when controlling for known confounders, cannot fully establish causation the way a randomized experiment can.

Question 2

Two variables, X and Y, have a correlation of 0.90. A critical thinker should conclude:

Accepted Answer

X and Y are strongly related, but causation requires further evidence.

Answer

A high correlation indicates a strong association but does not identify which variable causes the other, if either does.

Question 3

A pharmaceutical company reports that patients who adhered to their drug regimen recovered faster. A critic points out this is likely due to the 'healthy adherer effect.' What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Patients who take medications as directed also follow other healthy behaviors that aid recovery.

Answer

Adherent patients tend to lead healthier lifestyles overall, confounding the drug's apparent effect.

Question 4

During an economic recession, both unemployment and crime rates rise. A politician argues unemployment causes crime. What is the most precise critical thinking response?

Accepted Answer

Both may be caused by the recession itself, and the relationship between them may not be directly causal.

Answer

Economic downturns can simultaneously drive both metrics, making a direct unemployment-to-crime causal chain an oversimplification.

Question 5

A school implements a reading program. Test scores improve. To best determine if the program caused the improvement, researchers should:

Accepted Answer

Compare results to a control group that did not receive the program.

Answer

Without a control group, it is impossible to rule out natural score improvements over time or other simultaneous changes.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Evaluating Causal Relationships 2