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- Thu Apr 14, 2016 2:29 pm
#23064
Complete Question Explanation
Assumption. The correct answer choice is (D)
Scientists attempt to replicate controversial results, and fail to get the same results. Those scientists conclude that the controversial results were due to faulty measurements.
It seems that the scientists may neglect that their own results may be those in error. Furthermore, even if the controversial results are in error, it does not follow that the error is due to faulty measurement. Since you are asked what the scientists' argument assumes, you should focus on the two major assumptions:
1. The scientists themselves are not more likely in error.
2. Faulty measurement is the cause of any error in the controversial results.
Answer choice (A): The scientists would not assume that they had not replicated the original experiments. The scientists actually have to assume that they did replicate the original experiments exactly, except for that the results were different. This assumption is damaging to the stimulus.
Answer choice (B): This choice supports the stimulus, but even if controversy did not indicate a high likelihood of error, the scientists in the stimulus could still be correct to conclude that the controversial results are wrong. That means this choice is not necessary.
Answer choice (C): If the controversial results challenge weak theoretical principles, that suggests that the results might not be as contestable as "controversial" might indicate. The cause of the controversy-- which one might presume is scientists' beliefs in theories-- would be undermined. Since this choice is basically contrary to the conclusion that the controversial results are definitely incorrect.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. The scientists conclude that because their results disagree with the controversial results, the controversial results are incorrect. To make that conclusion on a somewhat sound critical basis, the scientists must assume that the replication experiments' (their own) results are less likely than the original experiments' controversial results to be faulty.
Answer choice (E): Even if the original researchers observed the original results multiple times, the scientists in the stimulus could have observed their own results even more. So, even if you thought it was important that the scientists in the stimulus have at least as large a data-set, this choice delivers an unnecessary assumption, and is incorrect. Furthermore, it is actually not necessary to have more data than the original researchers to debunk them; it would be sufficient to find some flaw in the original process.
Assumption. The correct answer choice is (D)
Scientists attempt to replicate controversial results, and fail to get the same results. Those scientists conclude that the controversial results were due to faulty measurements.
It seems that the scientists may neglect that their own results may be those in error. Furthermore, even if the controversial results are in error, it does not follow that the error is due to faulty measurement. Since you are asked what the scientists' argument assumes, you should focus on the two major assumptions:
1. The scientists themselves are not more likely in error.
2. Faulty measurement is the cause of any error in the controversial results.
Answer choice (A): The scientists would not assume that they had not replicated the original experiments. The scientists actually have to assume that they did replicate the original experiments exactly, except for that the results were different. This assumption is damaging to the stimulus.
Answer choice (B): This choice supports the stimulus, but even if controversy did not indicate a high likelihood of error, the scientists in the stimulus could still be correct to conclude that the controversial results are wrong. That means this choice is not necessary.
Answer choice (C): If the controversial results challenge weak theoretical principles, that suggests that the results might not be as contestable as "controversial" might indicate. The cause of the controversy-- which one might presume is scientists' beliefs in theories-- would be undermined. Since this choice is basically contrary to the conclusion that the controversial results are definitely incorrect.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. The scientists conclude that because their results disagree with the controversial results, the controversial results are incorrect. To make that conclusion on a somewhat sound critical basis, the scientists must assume that the replication experiments' (their own) results are less likely than the original experiments' controversial results to be faulty.
Answer choice (E): Even if the original researchers observed the original results multiple times, the scientists in the stimulus could have observed their own results even more. So, even if you thought it was important that the scientists in the stimulus have at least as large a data-set, this choice delivers an unnecessary assumption, and is incorrect. Furthermore, it is actually not necessary to have more data than the original researchers to debunk them; it would be sufficient to find some flaw in the original process.