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QLDPhilosophy and ReasonQuick questions
Unit 3: Reason and formal logic
Quick questions on Inductive generalisation and sampling: QCE Philosophy and Reason
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the structure of a generalisation?Show answer
An inductive generalisation infers a claim about a whole population from observations of a sample of it:
What is hasty generalisation?Show answer
The hasty generalisation (or fallacy of insufficient sample) draws a broad conclusion from a sample that is too small or atypical. "My grandfather smoked and lived to ninety, so smoking is harmless" generalises from a single anomalous case. Anecdotes are the most common form: one vivid story is treated as evidence about everyone.
What is biased sampling?Show answer
Biased sampling uses a sample that is systematically unrepresentative. Two frequent forms:
What is evaluating a generalisation in a response?Show answer
To assess a generalisation in QCAA style: (1) identify the sample and the target population; (2) ask whether the sample is large enough; (3) ask, more importantly, whether it is representative, looking for self-selection, convenience and survivorship bias; (4) judge the strength accordingly. Naming "hasty generalisation" earns little; you must explain why the sample fails to support the population claim.
What is q1?Show answer
State the two main criteria for a strong inductive generalisation. [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain why a large sample can still produce a weak generalisation. [3 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Identify the fallacy: "Two players from that school cheated, so the whole school is dishonest." [2 marks]
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