Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences 1

Question 1

A hospital records show that the average patient wait time in the emergency room increased from 45 minutes to 67 minutes over the past year.
A hospital administrator concludes that the nursing staff is underperforming.
Which statement best describes the administrator's conclusion?

Accepted Answer

It is an inference that goes beyond what the data actually shows.

Answer

It is a verifiable fact supported directly by the data presented.

Answer

It is a fact because wait times are objective measurements.

Answer

It is neither a fact nor an inference, but a policy recommendation.

Question 2

A traffic report states that the number of accidents on Highway 9 doubled in January compared to December. A commuter tells a friend, 'They must have removed the speed cameras on that stretch.' Which of the following is accurate?

Accepted Answer

The accident count is a verifiable fact; the camera explanation is an inference.

Answer

The commuter's statement is a fact because accident data is publicly recorded.

Answer

The accident count is an inference, while the camera removal is a fact.

Answer

Both the accident count and the camera explanation are inferences.

Question 3

A retailer's sales records show that store revenue dropped 20% in the month following a competitor's grand opening nearby. A regional manager states, 'Customers are clearly preferring our competitor's products.' The manager's statement is best described as:

Accepted Answer

An inference, because the revenue drop could have multiple explanations.

Answer

A fact, because the revenue drop confirms customer preference shifted.

Answer

A hypothesis, which is neither a fact nor an inference in critical thinking.

Answer

A fact, because proximity of events establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Question 4

A school district reports that 78% of its third-grade students met reading proficiency standards this year, up from 65% last year. A school board member announces, 'The new literacy curriculum we adopted is clearly working.' Which of the following correctly identifies the nature of these statements?

Accepted Answer

The percentage increase is a fact; the board member's announcement is an inference.

Answer

Both the percentage increase and the board member's announcement are facts.

Answer

The percentage increase is an inference; the board member's announcement is a fact.

Answer

Both statements are inferences because standardized test scores can be unreliable.

Question 5

Weather station data shows that the city received 12 inches of rainfall in June, 40% above the monthly average. A local farmer states, 'This excess rain will guarantee a strong harvest this fall.' The farmer's statement is:

Accepted Answer

An inference, because many additional factors influence harvest outcomes.

Answer

A fact, because rainfall directly determines crop yields.

Answer

A verifiable prediction based entirely on recorded meteorological data.

Answer

A fact supported by both the rainfall data and historical farming records.

Question 6

A university's internal data shows that students who attended more than 90% of lectures had a class average GPA of 3.6, while students who attended fewer than 60% of lectures averaged 2.4 GPA. An academic dean states, 'Low attendance is causing students to earn lower grades.' Which best characterizes the dean's statement?

Accepted Answer

It is an inference, since the correlation does not by itself establish that attendance causes higher GPA.

Answer

It is a fact because GPA and attendance are both measured by the university.

Answer

It is a fact because the GPA difference is statistically significant and therefore proves causation.

Answer

It is an inference only if the sample size of students is too small to draw conclusions.