Researcher: Results indicate that the higher their educational level

Question

Researcher: Results indicate that the higher their educational level, the better are students’ mathematical skills. These results do not prove that education improves mathematical skills, however, since it is possible that students who have better mathematical skills to start with are the students who reach higher educational levels.

The reasoning of the researcher’s argument is most similar to that of which one of the following arguments?

(A) Results indicate that the quality of papers submitted for publication varies significantly from university to university. This may say nothing about the quality of education offered at different schools, but may only reflect a defect in the review process.

(B) Results from competition indicate that professional athletes outperform amateur athletes. These results do not prove that becoming a professional athlete improves one’s athletic performance, since it is possible that the athletes who become professionals are those whose performance is better to begin with.

(C) Studies indicate that students who graduate from more prestigious schools often get good jobs. These studies do not show that these schools prepare students well for the job market, since it is possible that employers are impressed by the mere fact that the students are from more prestigious schools.

(D) Surveys indicate that politicians with law degrees are better at what they do than politicians without law degrees. These surveys do not prove that having a law degree makes one a better politician, since it is possible that many politicians without law degrees were left out of the survey.

(E) Studies suggest that some people who are gifted in higher mathematics are inept at performing simple arithmetical calculations. These studies do not show that being good at mathematics precludes being good at arithmetic, since there are also many people who are good at both.

Aham56 · Answer

The question is stating that X (higher levels of educational skill) correlates to Y (higher mathematical skill). This does not mean that X causesY since Y could be causing X.

(B) Results from competition indicate that professional athletes outperform amateur athletes. These results do not prove that becoming a professional athlete improves one’s athletic performance, since it is possible that the athletes who become professionals are those whose performance is better to begin with.

X (professional athlete) correlates to Y (improved athletic performance). X (being a professional athlete) does not necessarily cause Y (improve one's athletic performance) since Y (improved performance to begin with) could be causing X (one to become a professional athlete).

None of the other choices seems to follow this rationale.

desertEagle · Answer

ARgument: 
Higher educational level means higher mathematics skill. => Good mathematical skill may help in attaining higher educational level not vice versa.

Question type 
Find similar logic. B etter skill may help improve performance at higher level.

(A) Results indicate that the quality of papers submitted for publication varies significantly from university to university. This may say nothing about the quality of education offered at different schools, but may only reflect a defect in the review process. -->  this does the opposite --> It does not say better skill (better quality of education) gives better results --> Incorrect
 
(B) Results from competition indicate that professional athletes outperform amateur athletes. These results do not prove that becoming a professional athlete improves one’s athletic performance, since it is possible that the athletes who become professionals are those whose performance is better to begin with. -->  It does say that better skill at beginning means better performance (playing at higher (professional) level) -->  CORRECT

(C) Studies indicate that students who graduate from more prestigious schools often get good jobs. These studies do not show that these schools prepare students well for the job market, since it is possible that employers are impressed by the mere fact that the students are from more prestigious schools. -->  It says prestigious school means better job --> no role of skill --> Incorrect

(D) Surveys indicate that politicians with law degrees are better at what they do than politicians without law degrees. These surveys do not prove that having a law degree makes one a better politician, since it is possible that many politicians without law degrees were left out of the survey.
-->  It introduces new information ( politicians without law degrees were left out of the survey) --> Incorrect 
(E) Studies suggest that some people who are gifted in higher mathematics are inept at performing simple arithmetical calculations. These studies do not show that being good at mathematics precludes being good at arithmetic, since there are also many people who are good at both. -->  it says bad skill (inept at performing simple arithmetical calculations) may mean some are good at both --> does not conform to above logic --> Incorrect

zhanbo · Answer

My answer is  (B) . I am audacious to pick (B) without reading through the other three options. It may not be advised, but in doing so, I only spent 1:01 on this "parallel reasoning" question, which can be most time-consuming.

The researcher's reasoning structure is as follows:
(1) a result about two correlated events is presented. It seems to suggest a causal relationship. Someone might jump to the obvious conclusion (Higher Ed -> Better Math Skill). 
(2) (conclusion) the "obvious conclusion" is not endorsed by the researcher. 
(3) the reason for the conclusion is forwarded: It is possible that the reverse is the case. (Better Math Skill -> Higher Ed).

To find the correct answer, we insist on the  most similar  parallel.

(A) The result does not naturally lend itself to a casual relationship. We can eliminate it.

(B) (1) a result about two correlated events is presented. It seems to suggest a causal relationship. Someone might jump to the obvious conclusion (Going pro -> better performance). 
(2) (conclusion) the "obvious conclusion" is not endorsed by the author. 
(3) the reason for the conclusion is forwarded: It is possible that the reverse is the case. (better performance -> Going pro ). 
Because (B) matches researcher's reasoning to a T, I think it is worth picking the B and moving to the next question.

(C) Say, if "employers are impressed by the mere fact that the students are from more prestigious schools", those prestigious schools can still claim that they prepare students well for the job market. The prestige is part of the deal. 
Of course, the major reason we eliminate (C) is that it does not exactly match the reasoning of the researcher's.

(D) It matches (1)and(2) of the researcher's reasoning, but in (3), it forwards a different reason. 
This reasoning could be parallel if it were to opine that "... since it is possible that those who would become better politicians are those who would obtain law degrees".

(E) This argument discusses a result for " some  people". This alone makes it not quite parallel. 
More seriously, in (3), it offers a reason that is not parallel.

unraveled · Answer

Researcher: Results indicate that the  higher their educational level , the  better are students’ mathematical skills . These  results do not prove that education improves mathematical skills ,  however , since it is possible that  students who have better mathematical skills  to start with are the students who  reach higher educational levels .

The reasoning of the researcher’s argument is most similar to that of which one of the following arguments?

(A) Results indicate that the  quality of papers submitted  for publication  varies significantly from university to university . This  may say nothing  about the quality of education offered at different schools, but may only  reflect a defect in the review process . - WRONG. No way a comparison is possible since causality is not established.

(B) Results from competition indicate that professional athletes outperform amateur athletes. These results do not prove that becoming a professional athlete improves one’s athletic performance since it is possible that the athletes who become professionals are those whose performance is better to begin with.
- This argument closely parallels the researcher's argument. It observes a correlation (professional athletes outperform amateurs) but suggests that this correlation may not imply causation (becoming professional improves performance) because better performers might become professionals.

(C) Studies indicate that  students who graduate from more prestigious schools   often get good jobs . These  studies do not show that these schools prepare students well for the job market ,  since  it is possible that  employers are impressed  by the mere fact that the  students are from more prestigious schools . - WRONG. New element(in red text) considered to reason.

(D) Surveys indicate that  politicians with law degrees are better  at what they do than  politicians without law degrees . These  surveys do not prove that having a law degree makes one a better politician ,  since  it is possible that  many politicians without law degrees  were  left out of the survey . - WRONG. "Many" is a problem here as sampling changes, thus reasoning. Additionally, new element brought into consideration.

(E) Studies suggest that  some people who are gifted in higher mathematics  are  inept at performing simple arithmetical calculations . These  studies do not show that being good at mathematics precludes being good at arithmetic ,  since  there are also  many people who are good at both . - WRONG. Somewhat like D. "Some" is a problem. Additionally, new element into consideration.

Answer B.

Paras96 · Answer

(A) Results indicate that the quality of papers submitted for publication varies significantly from university to university. This may say nothing about the quality of education offered at different schools, but may only reflect a defect in the review process.
- This argument discusses variations in paper quality across universities but does not directly parallel the researcher's argument about the correlation between education level and mathematical skills.

(B) Results from competition indicate that professional athletes outperform amateur athletes. These results do not prove that becoming a professional athlete improves one’s athletic performance since it is possible that the athletes who become professionals are those whose performance is better to begin with.
- This argument closely parallels the researcher's argument. It observes a correlation (professional athletes outperform amateurs) but suggests that this correlation may not imply causation (becoming professional improves performance) because better performers might become professionals.

(C) Studies indicate that students who graduate from more prestigious schools often get good jobs. These studies do not show that these schools prepare students well for the job market since it is possible that employers are impressed by the mere fact that the students are from more prestigious schools.
- This argument deals with the correlation between prestigious schools and good jobs but doesn't closely resemble the researcher's argument about education levels and mathematical skills. It suggests an alternative explanation for the correlation.

(D) Surveys indicate that politicians with law degrees are better at what they do than politicians without law degrees. These surveys do not prove that having a law degree makes one a better politician since it is possible that many politicians without law degrees were left out of the survey.
- This argument discusses the correlation between having a law degree and being a better politician, but it doesn't closely match the researcher's argument about education levels and mathematical skills.

(E) Studies suggest that some people who are gifted in higher mathematics are inept at performing simple arithmetical calculations. These studies do not show that being good at mathematics precludes being good at arithmetic since there are also many people who are good at both.
- This argument discusses the correlation between mathematical aptitude and arithmetical skills, but it doesn't align with the researcher's argument about education levels and mathematical skills.

Option (B) is the best choice because it closely mirrors the researcher's reasoning by addressing a correlation (professional athletes outperform amateurs) and suggesting that this correlation may not prove causation (becoming professional improves performance). This is analogous to the researcher's argument about education levels and mathematical skills.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Researcher: Results indicate that the higher their educational level

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