Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Interpreting Evidence and Data Questions and Answers 3

Question 1

A study shows that cities with more libraries have lower crime rates. What is the most justified interpretation of this data?

Accepted Answer

There is an association between library density and crime rates, but causation is unproven

Answer

The data shows a correlation, but establishing causation requires ruling out confounding variables such as overall city wealth or education spending.

Question 2

A dataset shows employee productivity rose 15% after a new policy was introduced. A colleague says the policy worked. What additional information is most critical before accepting this conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Whether productivity was already trending upward before the policy

Answer

Without knowing the pre-existing trend, it is impossible to attribute the productivity increase to the policy rather than a pre-existing trajectory.

Question 3

A table shows that 80% of surveyed customers rated a product 'excellent.' The sample size was 10 people. What is the primary limitation of this evidence?

Accepted Answer

The sample is too small to reliably generalize to all customers

Answer

A sample of 10 is far too small to draw reliable conclusions about the broader customer population.

Question 4

Data shows that runners who stretch before exercise have more injuries than those who do not. Which interpretation is best supported?

Accepted Answer

Runners with prior injuries may stretch more as a precaution, explaining the association

Answer

Reverse causation is plausible: injured or injury-prone runners may be more likely to stretch, creating a misleading association.

Question 5

A graph shows ice cream sales and drowning incidents both peak in summer. What should you conclude?

Accepted Answer

Both variables share a common cause — summer heat and outdoor activity — rather than a direct link

Answer

Both variables are driven by a third factor (summer season), making this a classic example of a confounding variable, not causation.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Interpreting Evidence and Data Questions and Answers 3