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24 Mar 2026, 19:27
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rushimehta
We cannot cast doubt on the validity of that statement by bringing up an alternative cause for "a relative lack of NIH financial support for research in the social sciences" for one main reason.
The reason is that that statement is not presented as the conclusion of an argument. Rather, it is presented as factual. Since, in the context of GMAT Critical Reasoning, statements of fact are considered indisputable, there's no way to cast doubt on the validity of such a statement in a Critical Reasoning passage.
We can cast doubt only on conclusions that are supported by other statements.
Here's an example of a passage with a conclusion such that the case for the conclusion can be weakened through bringing up a possible alternative cause.
In a study, it was found that, on average, participants who regularly consumed white button mushrooms had lower levels of cholesterol than those who rarely consumed white button mushrooms. Clearly, therefore, people who want to reduce their cholesterol levels can do so by simply consuming white button mushrooms more regularly.
In this case, the following statement weakens the case for conclusion.
- People who regularly consume white button mushrooms typically consume relatively low quantities of foods that cause increases in cholesterol levels.
Notice how the above statement provides an alternative cause for the correlation between consumption of white button mushrooms and low cholesterol levels. That alternative cause is people who regularly consume white button mushrooms also consuming "relatively low quantities of foods that cause increases in cholesterol levels."
By providing an alternative cause, the statement weakens the case for the conclusion "people who want to reduce their cholesterol levels can do so by simply consuming white button mushrooms more regularly."
Notice that that conclusion is not stated as fact but rather is stated as an opinion based on evidence that is presented prior to it in the passage. Consequently, it is possible to cast doubt on that conclusion.
26 Mar 2026, 03:59
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rushimehta
This is not an argument. It is giving "facts".
Note the question stem: If the statements above are correct,...
You cannot weaken facts. You are given that underrepresentation is the cause of lack of support.
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