Statistician: Two major studies found

Answer choices

1. A

   Too Strong4% picked this

   Contrary to the findings of two major studies, there is reason to think that procedure

   This answer implies that there is a reason to think procedure X causes disorder Y, which goes beyond what the statistician argues. The argument only claims that the studies are flawed due to sample size issues, not that the studies have claimed something false.

   4%
2. B

   Correct73% picked this

   Two studies that discovered no causal link between procedure X and disorder

   Why this is right

   This answer matches the conclusion. It is supported by the discussion of methodological flaws, specifically the insufficient sample size for detecting a causal link given the rarity of disorder Y.

   Skill tested: Main Conclusion · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   73%
3. C

   Inference-Bait20% picked this

   Researchers should conduct more-extensive studies of procedure X to determine whether the procedure is causally linked

   This answer suggests conducting further research, which is logical "what is something else the author might believe" kind of idea, but not explicitly stated in the argument, so not a contender for a Main Conclusion answer.

   20%
4. D

   Contradicted2% picked this

   The two studies cited did not reach a conclusion as to whether disorder Y results

   The studied did reach a conclusion. They concluded there is no causal link (in either direction). Plus, this isn't the statistician's conclusion. The conclusion is that the studies were unsound.

   2%
5. E

   Out of Scope1% picked this

   Despite the opinions of many medical experts, it has not been established that there is a causal link between procedure

   This answer introduces the opinions of medical experts and attempts to establish a lack of causal link, which wasn't directly discussed.

   1%