Deck 4: Inductive Arguments

Question 1

A research organization may be biased if they have a vested interest in the outcome of a study.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Neilson ratings are statistics used by advertisers to determine which shows have a high number of viewers.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Statistical evidence refers to data collected through a few examples.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

When a sample is representative, the people studies are like the people about whom you wish to generalize.

Question 5

A sample is biased when

A) the researcher is an instructor
B) it has more than 1000 subjects
C) it represents all of the target population
D) it doesn't represent all of the target population
E) it reflects the two-step flow

Question 6

What is the main difference between a fact and a statistical generalization?

A) A fact is based on a reality assumption and a statistical generalization is based on values.
B) A fact is agreed upon by members of a culture, and a statistical generalization is subject to controversy.
C) A fact is a true statement, and a statistical generalization is a conclusion about what can generally be expected, but is not true in every case.
D) A fact is known to the public, and a statistical generalization is confined to the scientific community.

Question 7

Mail-in surveys are not considered entirely reliable because

A) only some people from the sample population send in the survey.
B) people may not understand the questions.
C) people may not answer truthfully.
D) All of the above.

Question 8

Several patients are found to be allergic to peanut oil (X). X is the only food causing the patients to have a reaction (Y). And in every case in which X is eaten, the reaction (Y) occurs. This scenario reflects:

A) Mill's method of agreement
B) Hume's method of difference
C) The methods of agreement and difference used together
D) Technical Causation

Question 9

Which is not one of the problems that resulted from the Meth epidemic?

A) Increases in robberies and burglaries
B) An increase in inmate populations
C) Domestic violence, assaults, and identity theft increases
D) All of the above were cited as problems

Question 10

Which is not a question to ask about a sample to determine whether it is reliable?

A) Is the sample representative of the target audience?
B) Is the sample diverse in make-up?
C) Is the sample sufficient in size?
D) Is the sample random?
E) All of the above.

Question 11

Matching

-The specific question a researcher seeks to answer.

A) Sample
B) Characteristic of interest
C) Randomness
D) Target population
E) Representative

Question 12

Matching

-Group about which a researcher wishes to generalize.

A) Sample
B) Characteristic of interest
C) Randomness
D) Target population
E) Representative

Question 13

Matching

-When every member of a chosen population has an equal chance of being chosen as part of the sample.

A) Sample
B) Characteristic of interest
C) Randomness
D) Target population
E) Representative

Question 14

Matching

-The group that is studied by a researcher.

A) Sample
B) Characteristic of interest
C) Randomness
D) Target population
E) Representative

Question 15

Matching

-When the group studied reflects the group about which a researcher wants to generalize.

A) Sample
B) Characteristic of interest
C) Randomness
D) Target population
E) Representative

Question 16

Matching

-A factor that led up to but did not alone create the effect.

A) remote cause
B) multiple causes
C) immediate cause
D) sufficient condition
E) necessary condition

Question 17

Matching

-A combination of factors leading to a specific effect.

A) remote cause
B) multiple causes
C) immediate cause
D) sufficient condition
E) necessary condition

Question 18

Matching

-An effect cannot occur if this factor is absent.

A) remote cause
B) multiple causes
C) immediate cause
D) sufficient condition
E) necessary condition

Question 19

Matching

-A condition that automatically leads to the production of another event.

A) remote cause
B) multiple causes
C) immediate cause
D) sufficient condition
E) necessary condition

Question 20

Matching

-Something that causes or creates an effect.

A) remote cause
B) multiple causes
C) immediate cause
D) sufficient condition
E) necessary condition

Question 21

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-The style and grace of the west is embodied in Phoenix stoneware.
(from an ad)
Conclusion: the style and grace of the west is embodied in Phoenix stoneware.

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 22

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-Questionnaires were given to the entire student body of a California community college; each registered student completed a questionnaire. Data was collected showing that 90% of this college's students feel that tuition is unfair to them. Clearly, most community college students in California feel that tuition is not legitimate-the state legislature should take note. (from a report in a college magazine)
Conclusion: Most community college students in California feel that tuition is not legitimate.
(Students may also add the phrase "the state legislature should take note.")

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 23

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-A Gallup poll of 1800 randomly selected Americans predicted that if Oprah Winfrey became a candidate, she would win the presidential election by a significant number of percentage points. (from a city newspaper)
Conclusion: If Oprah Winfrey became a candidate, she would win the presidential election by a significant number of percentage points.

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 24

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-My cousins both got sick after vacationing in Brewerstown; the water was not safe to drink, so I'm only going to drink sodas when I go. (spoken by a close friend of yours)
Conclusion: The water was not safe to drink, so I'm only going to drink sodas when I go. (You may also give credit for the statement "I'm only going to drink sodas when I go.")

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 25

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-A random study of 2 million incarcerated criminals reveals that 80% of them had been abused as children. It appears that child abuse produces criminals.
Conclusion: Child abuse produces criminals.

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 26

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-Four out of five doctors recommend Painfree for headaches. (ad)
Conclusion: Four out of five doctors recommend Painfree for headaches.

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 27

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-I've known six different Chinese kids in six different classes. Each one of them was at the top of the class. Chinese kids do really well in school.
Conclusion: Chinese kids do really well in school.

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 28

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-The typical American male eats 20 pounds of sugar per year. (a magazine commentary)
Conclusion: The typical American male eats 20 pounds of sugar per year.

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 29

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-"We have interviewed thousands of customers this year and found that the vast majority who talked to us are very pleased with our service; few customers feel the need to switch to one of the 'maverick' phone companies. We're glad to reach out and touch so many!" (ad for local telephone company)
Conclusion: Few customers feel the need to switch to one of the 'maverick' phone companies.

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 30

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-In our state, where liquor can't be sold on Sunday, 2000 people were interviewed at a beer festival; 96% of those surveyed believed that the Sunday ban on liquor sale is outdated. Clearly, people from our largest city (where the festival was held) disapprove of the law, commonly called a Blue Law. (from a weekly newsmagazine)
Conclusion: Clearly, people from our largest city disapprove of the law.

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 31

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-Primmusk is the perfume of models. Both Susie Que and Misty Jones use it. (from an ad in a women's magazine)
Conclusion: Primmusk is the perfume of models.

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 32

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-Thanks to those of you (2000 of our subscribers!) who participated in our recent survey (January issue) on happiness in marriage-the results showed that people are happy and content in their marriages-especially if they have children and if the mother can stay home or work only part time. (women's magazine)
Conclusion: People are happy and content in their marriages-especially if they have children and if the mother can stay home or work only part time.

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 33

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-My wife and I both come from Italian families and we're big "touchers"; our neighbors, who are British, aren't very affectionate with us or our children. So, you can see that Italians are "touchers" and the British are colder people. (from a relative)
Conclusion: Italians are "touchers" and the British are colder people.

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 34

For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:

-More and more men are using Suaveshave-shouldn't you? (commercial)
Conclusion: Shouldn't you? (The implied conclusion is "You should also use Suaveshave.")

A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question 35

What is an example of the use of statistics to make predictions and decisions in our daily lives?

Question 36

Define characteristic of interest, using an example.

Question 37

Define target population, using an example.

Question 38

Define sample, using an example.

Question 39

How is a sample classified as biased? Why is a biased sample not useful as evidence to support a conclusion?

Question 40

What are two questions to ask about a sample to determine whether it is reliable?

Question 41

Are answers to surveys generally regarded as reliable? Why or why not?

Question 42

What is the difference between a fact and a statistical generalization?

Question 43

What is randomness and why is it important in statistical research?

Question 44

What are two reasons why we look for the causes of problems?

Question 45

Explain the statement: "The strength of a conclusion is based on the quality of evidence used to support the conclusion." Use examples in your explanation.

Question 46

Think of a question that could be answered by polling a group of people.

Question 47

Define the following terms relating to technical causation:
-Immediate cause

Question 48

Define the following terms relating to technical causation:
-remote cause

Question 49

Define the following terms relating to technical causation:
-Multiple causes

Question 50

Choose one of Mill's methods: the method of difference, the method of agreement or similarity, or the joint method of agreement and difference. Explain how the method is used to determine causation, using your own example.

Question 51

Give an example of how you have used inductive research when making a personal (consumer, voting) decision. Identify the inductive research and your decision.