Thinking Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

132 Unit 4 Applied critical thinking

Commentary

The first point to make is that the data

concerns public opinion. The first of the three

claims is therefore clearly supported by the

data. (As a matter of interest, it is the

conclusion that the researchers drew

themselves.) Only 1 in 20 people thought that

there had been no change. Well over half

thought that the change was substantial in

favour of more people receiving payments.

This indicates a ‘widespread and strong belief’,

and makes A a safe conclusion. The question

of whether the sample was representative need

not concern you, as you were told to assume

that the figures are accurate and well

researched.

Claim B is a more direct interpretation of

the data, and simple arithmetic shows that it

too is a safe inference. Claim A is true because

claim B is true.

Claim C is more complex and more

interesting. It would seem reasonable to argue

that if there are more people receiving

payments, there are more claims being made.

But ultimately C rests on the assumption that

Take some time to think about and/or discuss

the following questions, before reading the

commentaries that follow.

1    Which of the following are supported by

the information in Chart 1? (The answer

may be any, none or all.)

Assume that the data is accurate and that

the sample of people questioned is

representative of the population.

A There is a widespread and strong

belief that more people are receiving

compensation for personal injuries

now than five years ago.

B 87% of those responding to the

survey believe that there are more

people receiving payments for

personal injury compensation than

there were five years ago.

C Claims being pursued for personal

injury have increased significantly in

the past five years.

Activity

CHART 3

64 12 8

7

Disagree strongly

%

Disagree slightly

%

(^6713)
65 128 8
8 5
7 5
9 5
Neither
%
Agree
slightly
%
Agree
strongly
%
All adults
Those who watch daytime TV
Those who have recently
seen a personal injury claims ad
‘I might be tempted to make an exaggerated claim for a personal injury, even if I didn't have
a strong case for compensation.’ To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
*Respondents who answered ‘Don’t know’ have been excluded from chart.