Below are four distinct causal arguments and four potential pieces of evidence. Pair each argument with the single piece of evidence that most effectively bolsters its specific conclusion by addressing an underlying logical vulnerability.
- Researchers observed that employees utilizing standing desks report fewer instances of lower back pain than those using traditional seated desks. They conclude that standing desks directly alleviate back pain.Employees who opt for standing desks are no more likely to engage in back-strengthening exercises or physical therapy outside of work than those who use seated desks.
- Following the introduction of an invasive hawk species to Elmwood Forest, the population of native ground squirrels declined sharply. Biologists conclude that the hawks are aggressively hunting the ground squirrels.The primary food source for the native ground squirrels remained abundant, and no new diseases were detected in the forest ecosystem during the population decline.
- A recent educational study shows that students who learn to play a musical instrument score significantly higher on standardized math tests. The authors conclude that musical training actively enhances mathematical reasoning skills.Students who eventually begin musical training demonstrate no initial advantage in math aptitude compared to their peers prior to starting the music lessons.
- After the city of Morovia initiated a comprehensive tree-planting campaign in its downtown district, average summer daytime temperatures there dropped by two degrees. Planners assert the new trees directly caused this cooling effect.Neighboring municipalities in the exact same climate zone that did not plant new trees experienced a slight increase in average summer daytime temperatures during the identical time frame.
Cevap
Match the Standing Desks argument with the evidence ruling out outside exercise; the Hawk argument with the evidence ruling out starvation/disease; the Musical Training argument with the evidence showing no initial math advantage; and the Tree Planting argument with the evidence regarding neighboring municipalities.
Each correct pairing successfully matches a causal argument with the specific piece of evidence that patches its unique logical vulnerability. By ruling out alternative causes (exercise, starvation/disease), eliminating selection bias (pre-existing math skills), and providing a negative control group (neighboring cities), each piece of evidence significantly increases the probability that the stated conclusion is true.
Adım Adım Çözüm
Anahtar Kavram
Strengthening causal arguments requires addressing specific vulnerabilities: ruling out alternative explanations, eliminating selection bias, and utilizing control groups to demonstrate cause-without-effect controls.