A certain strain of bacteria was found in the stomachs of ulcer patients.
Conclusion (therefore)
It is highly likely that the bacteria strain induces ulcers.
Evidence
The strain of bacteria was found in the stomachs of ulcer patients.
A medical researcher with no history of ulcers ingested this bacteria strain and developed an ulcer within weeks.
Evaluate
This argument presents a correlation between the presence of a bacterial strain and the occurrence of ulcers and assumes a causal relationship. We can apply the Explain Curious Fact mindset to this pattern, as the argument presumes the strain causes ulcers.
Curious Fact
Why did the researcher develop an ulcer after ingesting the bacteria strain? Why do these people with ulcers have this bacteria strain in them?
Author's Explanation
The bacteria strain induces ulcers.
To strengthen causal arguments like this, we should look for evidence that increases the plausibility of the author's explanation or rules out alternative explanations.
Goal
Let's find an answer that makes it more plausible that this strain of bacteria is linked to ulcers (a classic No Cause / No Effect answer might say ), or an answer that rules out an alternate explanation for the connections between the bacteria strain and the ulcers (in the patients and the researcher).