Question #1011

Difference between A and E

Started by nicolebet · started 2020-02-20 03:31 · last activity 2020-02-21 02:03 · 2 replies

I just cannot tell the difference between a conclusion and cited evidence. I understand that the first sentence is considered a part of the data, making it evidence, but why can't a conclusion contain data? I set the problem up as the first sentence is the conclusion and the others were premises, for which a clarification was made within the premises about the misconception of the conclusion.

Replies

  1. SamA · 2020-02-20 21:56

    Hello @nicolebet, "The rate of psychological problems is higher among children of divorced parents than among other children." This is a factual statement. It is a phenomenon that the researcher does not dispute, but rather tries to explain. This is a very common format on the LSAT involving scientists, researchers, psychologists, etc. A phenomenon will be presented. The author will then offer a hypothesis/explanation, or reject someone else's hypothesis. This is the conclusion. In this particular example, the author rejects an explanation. "But it would be a mistake to conclude that these problems are caused by the difficulty the children have adjusting to divorce." This rejection is the conclusion. It is possible to have data in a conclusion, but make sure that there is also an argument. There is no argument in the first sentence, so it cannot be the conclusion. Think about it this way. A conclusion will leave you asking questions. It will require support. I use a question and answer strategy to help me track arguments. Conclusion: It would be a mistake to conclude that adjusting to divorce is the cause. Why? Support: Because there is another explanation that is just as likely.

  2. nicolebet · 2020-02-21 02:03

    Thank you so much for clarifying.

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