Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT9 S4 Q25 Explanation

Scientists attempting to replicate

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Logical Reasoning question.

TopicsNecessary Assumption

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Stimulus

Scientists attempting to replicate certain controversial results reported by a group of experienced researchers failed to get the same results as those reported. The conclusion drawn from this by the scientists who conducted the replication results had been due to faulty measurements.

What this question is testing

Necessary Assumption

Your task

Find the assumption the argument requires in order for its conclusion to hold.

Common trap

Answers that would help the argument but aren't strictly required (sufficient, not necessary).

Winning move

Negate each choice — the right one breaks the argument when negated.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question
25.

The argument of the scientists who conducted the replication experiments

Answer choices

  1. Trap7% picked this

    the original experiments had not been described in sufficient detail to make an

  2. Trap7% picked this

    the fact that the originally reported results aroused controversy made it highly likely that they

  3. Trap3% picked this

    the theoretical principles called into question by the originally reported results were themselves based

  4. Correct82% picked this

    the replication experiments were not so likely as the original experiments to be marred

    Why this is right

    Answer D is correct.

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

  5. Trap2% picked this

    the researchers who originally reported the controversial results had themselves observed those

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