Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers Flashcards
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A company report states that employee turnover increased by 15% last quarter. A manager concludes that employees are unhappy with their compensation. Which of the following best describes the manager's conclusion?
Answer: It is an inference that goes beyond the data presented
The manager's conclusion is an inference because the report only states turnover increased, not the reason behind it.
During a city council meeting, a council member presents census data showing that the population grew by 8% over five years. Another member states that this growth will strain the current water supply infrastructure. The second member's statement is best classified as:
Answer: An inference drawn from the population data
The statement about water supply strain is an inference because it draws a conclusion about future impact that is not contained in the census data itself.
A newspaper reports: 'The unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in March, the lowest in two decades.' A reader says, 'The economy must be in excellent shape.' Which statement is true about distinguishing facts from inferences here?
Answer: The report is a fact; the reader's statement is an inference
The unemployment figure is a verifiable fact, while claiming the economy is in excellent shape is an inference that extends beyond the single data point.
A study finds that students who eat breakfast score 10% higher on standardized tests than those who skip it. A school principal announces that skipping breakfast causes lower test performance. The principal's announcement is:
Answer: An inference that assumes causation from correlation
The study shows a correlation between breakfast and scores, but the principal infers causation, which the data does not directly establish.
An environmental report states that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached 420 parts per million in 2024. A commentator writes that humanity has failed to address climate change. The commentator's claim is best described as:
Answer: An inference that interprets the CO2 data in a broader context
While the CO2 measurement is a fact, the claim about humanity failing to address climate change is an inference that interprets the data within a larger narrative.
A hospital's quarterly data shows that patient wait times averaged 45 minutes, up from 30 minutes the previous quarter. A board member states the hospital needs to hire more emergency room physicians. Which best applies?
Answer: The board member made an inference about the cause and solution for increased wait times
The wait time increase is a fact from the data, but concluding that hiring more ER physicians is the needed solution is an inference that assumes a specific cause.