Logical reasoning PrepTest 125 · Section 2 · Question 1

Incorrect. This answer describes a circular argument, but the Executive uses a survey to support a claim, not just a restatement of that claim.

Incorrect. The survey data could presumably be verified.

Incorrect. The argument doesn't shift between definitions of "fairly." While the respondents may have different definitions, the argument itself uses the survey results that establish a vast majority describing their treatment as fair to reach a conclusion that their treatment was fair. This answer would only be correct if we could clearly show the two definitions. For example, if the survey asked if the workers felt their managers treated them fairly, and the conclusion stated that the survey proved their compensation was fair.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Errors in Reasoning

Stimulus Summary:
95% of our retired workers say we treated them fairly, so we treat our employees fairly.

Answer Anticipation:
There's a survey, so we should start by considering whether there's a sampling flaw, and whether there's a correlation/causation flaw.

We can quickly dispose of the latter since there's no causal relationship established.

However, for the former, there is a reason to believe that the sample is skewed. Retirees, by definition, don't work for the company anymore. While the survey may support the contention that the company treated some of its employees well, since the sample is just those who stuck with the company long enough to retire, it may well be skewed. First, someone who doesn't think they are being treated well would probably leave a company before retiring. Second, the company may have recently shifted away from the employee-friendly policies that they once had.

There's also another issue with this argument—it relies on self-reported information (subjective) to determine something that's not subjective (while definitions of "fair treatment" may differ, whether treatment meets a given definition isn't necessarily subjective). While 95% of people may have said they received fair treatment, that may not be the case—maybe they answered that way because they feared for their pension.

This flaw, however, is less commonly correct, so let's focus on finding an answer that establishes the sample as unrepresentative.

Answer Explanation:
This answer reflects the sampling flaw in the stimulus. Those who stay with a company long enough to retire probably have a rosier view of their time with the company than the average, and they also worked at the company in an earlier time—two reasons to believe their feelings may not represent the average worker.

Key Takeaway:
Whenever there's a study or survey, consider whether there's a sampling flaw, and whether there's a correlation/causation flaw. Surveys are more likely to have sampling flaws (and perception vs. reality flaws, as they generally ask for people's opinions), whereas studies are more likely to have correlation/causation flaws (since they generally deal with science).

Incorrect. If anything, the argument is assuming that what used to be true is still true, or that things have improved over time, not they are now worse.