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Question

Difficulty: MediumWeaken

Argument:
University Administrator: Last year, we introduced a mandatory study skills workshop for all first-year students on academic probation. This year, the dropout rate among first-year students on academic probation has decreased by 15%. Therefore, the workshop has been effective in helping struggling students stay in school.

Statement:
If true, the fact that the university significantly lowered the academic requirements needed to avoid expulsion this year actively weakens the administrator's argument.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True
The new fact introduces an alternative explanation for the observed phenomenon. By showing that administrative leniency could account for the 15% drop in the expulsion rate, the evidence connecting the workshop to the positive outcome is severely undermined, thus weakening the argument.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the conclusion and premises of the argument.
Conclusion: The workshop is effective in helping students stay in school. Premise: The dropout rate decreased by 15% after the workshop was introduced.
Understanding the core structure of the argument is necessary to evaluate its logical vulnerability.
2
Determine the logical gap or assumption in the argument.
The argument assumes that the workshop (and not some other unstated factor) caused the decrease in the dropout rate.
Identifying causal assumptions highlights exactly how the argument can be weakened.
3
Evaluate the impact of the new fact on the logical gap.
The new fact provides an alternative cause for the lowered dropout rate (lowered expulsion requirements).
If an alternative cause is responsible for the outcome, the original conclusion is weakened.

Key Concept

Identifying Alternative Causes
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Topics

Weaken

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