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Argument and Evidence Analysis Flashcards

7 cards from real STAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. A newspaper editorial states: 'Teen crime rates fell after the youth curfew was introduced; therefore, the curfew caused the reduction.' Which flaw does this reasoning contain?

    Answer: Post hoc ergo propter hoc

    Assuming that because B followed A, A caused B is the post hoc fallacy — correlation in time does not establish causation.

  2. An argument uses the following structure: 'All mammals are warm-blooded. Dolphins are warm-blooded. Therefore, dolphins are mammals.' This reasoning is:

    Answer: An example of affirming the consequent

    This is affirming the consequent: just because dolphins share one property of mammals does not logically guarantee they are mammals.

  3. In evaluating a scientific study as evidence, which factor is most important for assessing its reliability?

    Answer: The study was peer-reviewed and used a large sample size.

    Peer review and large sample sizes are key methodological markers of a reliable study.

  4. A health advertisement claims: '9 out of 10 dentists recommend our toothpaste.' Which question is most critical for evaluating this claim?

    Answer: How many dentists were surveyed and how were they selected?

    Without knowing the sample size and selection method, the statistic cannot be evaluated for representativeness or bias.

  5. Which of the following is an example of anecdotal evidence being used to support a general claim?

    Answer: 'My grandfather smoked his whole life and lived to 95, so smoking can't be that harmful.'

    Using one person's experience to draw a general conclusion about population-level risk ignores statistical evidence.

  6. A policy paper argues that mandatory voting should be introduced because 'citizens have a duty to participate in democracy.' What type of premise is this?

    Answer: A normative claim based on a value judgment

    The claim that citizens 'have a duty' is a value judgment about what ought to be, not a factual statement about what is.

  7. A lawyer argues: 'My client is innocent because the prosecution has not proven guilt beyond reasonable doubt.' Which logical principle does this illustrate?

    Answer: The burden of proof lies with the one making the positive claim.

    In legal reasoning, the burden of proof falls on the prosecution; failure to meet that burden justifies acquittal.