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The Dean claimed that, as a result of continued cutbacks in [#permalink]
 09 Nov 2012, 13:37
Question Stats:
45% (02:11) correct
54% (01:00) wrong based on 5 sessions
The Dean claimed that, as a result of continued cutbacks in the budget for pure science research, fewer students are choosing a career in physics, and therefore the number of postgraduate students studying physics is likely to decline. Which of the following, if true, casts most doubt on the Dean’s conclusion? A. The number of students majoring in physics at the undergraduate level has been increasing steadily over the years, a trend that is expected to continue. B. The number of students studying chemistry declined even before cutbacks in research funding were noted. C. Most postgraduate students of physics move to careers in computer science and engineering. D. The Dean’s own university has recently increased the number of staff members teaching physics. E. The budget cutbacks are less severe for the pure sciences than for applied sciences.
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Re: The Dean claimed that, as a result of continued cutbacks in [#permalink]
09 Nov 2012, 14:43
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Hi, Here is my thought process spelled out as I would go through this question: The Dean claimed that, as a result of continued cutbacks in the budget for pure science research, fewer students are choosing a career in physics, and therefore the number of postgraduate students studying physics is likely to decline. So conclusion is number of postgrad physicists is likely to decline. Based on argument that there are cutbacks in the research budget for pure scienceWhich of the following, if true, casts most doubt on the Dean’s conclusion? So which goes against what is said above. Which suggests that the number will not decline (n.b. doesn't necessarily mean the number will rise)A. The number of students majoring in physics at the undergraduate level has been increasing steadily over the years, a trend that is expected to continue. This is irrelevant, the question is about postgrad. So doesn't help or hinder the conclusionB. The number of students studying chemistry declined even before cutbacks in research funding were noted. This talks about chemists. No discussion at all about physicists. A watch out here to not draw your own conclusions, it may seem logical that chemists and physicists share similar traits, but we don't know that!C. Most postgraduate students of physics move to careers in computer science and engineering. This looks good to me. The reason given for the drop in postgrad physicists was that they would no longer have academic jobs. If there are lots of other jobs this undermines that conclusionD. The Dean’s own university has recently increased the number of staff members teaching physics. Not relevant. These could be undergrad teachers.E. The budget cutbacks are less severe for the pure sciences than for applied sciences Again not relevant. We need some evidence for whether the budget cuts will affect physicists
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Re: The Dean claimed that, as a result of continued cutbacks in [#permalink]
10 Nov 2012, 14:22
plumber250 wrote: Hi,
Here is my thought process spelled out as I would go through this question:
The Dean claimed that, as a result of continued cutbacks in the budget for pure science research, fewer students are choosing a career in physics, and therefore the number of postgraduate students studying physics is likely to decline.
So conclusion is number of postgrad physicists is likely to decline. Based on argument that there are cutbacks in the research budget for pure science
Which of the following, if true, casts most doubt on the Dean’s conclusion?
So which goes against what is said above. Which suggests that the number will not decline (n.b. doesn't necessarily mean the number will rise)
A. The number of students majoring in physics at the undergraduate level has been increasing steadily over the years, a trend that is expected to continue.This is irrelevant, the question is about postgrad. So doesn't help or hinder the conclusion
B. The number of students studying chemistry declined even before cutbacks in research funding were noted.This talks about chemists. No discussion at all about physicists. A watch out here to not draw your own conclusions, it may seem logical that chemists and physicists share similar traits, but we don't know that!
C. Most postgraduate students of physics move to careers in computer science and engineering. This looks good to me. The reason given for the drop in postgrad physicists was that they would no longer have academic jobs. If there are lots of other jobs this undermines that conclusion
D. The Dean’s own university has recently increased the number of staff members teaching physics.Not relevant. These could be undergrad teachers.
E. The budget cutbacks are less severe for the pure sciences than for applied sciences Again not relevant. We need some evidence for whether the budget cuts will affect physicists "fewer students are choosing a career in physics" The quoted is a part of premise, hence if we pick C we are just going to strengthen the argument.
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Re: The Dean claimed that, as a result of continued cutbacks in [#permalink]
14 Nov 2012, 21:03
C is strengthening! Someone kindly provide a better explanation.
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Re: The Dean claimed that, as a result of continued cutbacks in [#permalink]
14 Nov 2012, 22:02
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suryanshg wrote: C is strengthening! Someone kindly provide a better explanation. Archit143 wrote: "fewer students are choosing a career in physics" The quoted is a part of premise, hence if we pick C we are just going to strengthen the argument. C is not strengthening. Basically the conclusion is just " the number of postgraduate students studying physics is likely to decline." reason given for this is: "as a result of continued cutbacks in the budget for pure science research, fewer students are choosing a career in physics" However, option C shows us that most of the physics post grads have no interest in careers in physics and they opt for computer sceince etc related careers. Thus even if the pure science research budget is cutback it is unlikely that number of students would decline. Infact, a question, with a very similar logic, has been explained in Kaplan's breaking 700 video posted on forum as part of 1M post celebration. breaking-700-what-it-takes-kaplan-lecture-142370.htmlCheck it out, I think its worth.
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Re: The Dean claimed that, as a result of continued cutbacks in
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14 Nov 2012, 22:02
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