Powerscore claims that recently PTs have had a lot more science experiment questions in LR. I've obviously taken a bunch of science classes and know the basics, but I still think it's weird to see these scenarios in the LSAT world.
For example, on PT 71 Section 3
#4, E is the right answer because it shows that there is a control group, and every study should have a control group. Though I know this, I wouldn't think that really counts as strengthening.......but I guess it shows that the experiment is a good one.
Either way, whenever a science experiment shows up, should I be checking to see that all/most requirements of a good science experiment are mentioned? I don't know if my question makes sense haha but I'm trying to find a general approach for the future
Comments
71/3/4 is a good example of what I'm talking about. The answer isn't necessarily correct because it establishes a control group. What I mean is, if answer choice E just said "The study conducted in the hospital had a control group and followed scientific protocols," it wouldn't be as strong of an answer. Instead, the answer is correct because it eliminates a huge potential weakness to the argument! That is, how do we know the people who experienced the reduction in pain had their pain reduced because of the magnets? It could have easily been that they knew they were getting a treatment, and that made them feel better, which in turn lessened their pain. E makes this kind of possibility less likely, because the patient's beliefs about their treatments are the same whether or not they received the magnets or the placebos.