Question 1
Proposed conclusionIn the study, workers who sat for more than 10 hours a day developed back pain more often than those who sat for under 6 hours.
Watson Glaser interpretation questions
A passage of evidence, then proposed conclusions. Accept the passage, then judge what it supports beyond reasonable doubt.
| Questions in the test | 6 of 40 |
|---|---|
| Answers | Conclusion follows, conclusion does not follow |
| Standard | Beyond reasonable doubt |
| Time | About 45 seconds a question |
What follows
- Restatements and simple sums from the figures given.
- Comparisons inside the study or sample described.
What does not
- "Only", "every" and "always" when the passage gives a rate or an average.
- Claims about people or places the passage did not cover.
- Causes the passage never tested.
Try 5 questions
In a ten-year study, 5,000 office workers recorded how many hours they sat each day. Those who sat for more than 10 hours a day were twice as likely to develop back pain during the study as those who sat for under 6 hours.
The difference remained after the researchers allowed for age, weight and smoking.
Question 2
Proposed conclusionLong sitting is the only cause of back pain among office workers.
Question 3
Proposed conclusionAge, weight and smoking do not fully account for the link between long sitting and back pain in the study.
Question 4
Proposed conclusionEvery worker in the study who sat for more than 10 hours a day developed back pain.
Question 5
Proposed conclusionOffice workers who sit for more than 10 hours a day are less likely to get back pain if they take up running.
Next step
Questions people ask
How is interpretation different from inference?
Inference has five graded answers. Interpretation has two: the conclusion follows beyond reasonable doubt, or it does not.
Do I need to be certain?
No. Beyond reasonable doubt is enough, which is a lower bar than the strict necessity of deduction.