A study finds that people who eat breakfast weigh less. A critic responds that people who skip breakfast may be dieting unsuccessfully. The critic is
Correct answer: A. suggesting the causal direction may be reversed or confounded
- A. suggesting the causal direction may be reversed or confounded
- B. attacking the researchers personally
- C. appealing to authority
- D. using circular reasoning
Explanation
The critic proposes that being overweight leads to skipping breakfast rather than the other way round, which challenges the direction of the causal arrow. Offering a plausible alternative explanation is the standard way to weaken an observational finding. It does not prove the original claim wrong, only unsupported.
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About Critical Thinking
Critical thinking examines how conclusions follow from evidence, including claims, assumptions, arguments, inferences and relevant facts. Questions ask you to identify hidden assumptions, distinguish strong from weak evidence, assess cause and effect, recognise common reasoning errors, and decide which statement strengthens or weakens an argument.
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