For the following statements and arguments, choose which one of the following statements best describe the evidence:
-A random study of 2 million incarcerated criminals reveals that 80% of them had been abused as children. It appears that child abuse produces criminals.
Conclusion: Child abuse produces criminals.
A) The sample is not sufficient in size or is not given.
B) The sample is not random.
C) The sample is not representative (or is lacking in breadth).
D) The sample is sufficient, random, and representative.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This study, impressive as it seems, reveals the subtlety needed as we weigh evidence. By isolating the conclusion, we can see that the authors are drawing a conclusion about people in general from a prison population.
We would need a random, representative sample of the entire population to explore this conclusion. It may be that millions of noncriminal adults were also abused as children, and therefore abuse is not a singular determinant of criminal behavior.

For the Following Statements and Arguments, Choose Which One of the Following